Contact lens policy
Important information for individuals who wear contact lenses
Contact lenses can "mould" the corneal surface, which changes the corneal curvature and may lead to a change in your refraction (prescription). In order to properly calculate the treatment to correct your refractive error, you will have to stop wearing contact lenses at some stage prior to your appointments. In time, the cornea will return to its natural shape and size. LASIK MD is dedicated to providing you with the most accurate treatment, which can only be achieved if the corneal surface is stable and back to its natural shape.
For the vast majority of patients, the minimum recommended length of time for contact removal should suffice. However, the individual rate of corneal adjusting may vary. If your cornea is still adjusting at the pre-operative appointment, you will be required to reschedule your appointment for a later date. LASIK MD cannot reimburse for time off work, hotel, airline tickets or any other expenses incurred due to rescheduling.
Removal of contact lenses prior to the in-clinic pre-operative evaluation and surgery appointments (for laser vision correction and intraocular lens replacement procedures)*
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*Do not sleep with contact lenses on for one (1) week before the pre-operative evaluation.
The above chart applies to in-clinic consultations only. Please do not wear contact lenses at your in-person appointment.
If you’ve booked a virtual consultation, you will not need to remove your contact lenses prior to your appointment.
Please note that it’s only necessary to remove contacts in the eye(s) that will be undergoing surgery. Patients can wear a contact lens in the non-operated eye immediately following surgery, when applicable.
The difference in the length of time to remove contact lenses listed in the chart ensures that most out-of-town patients are not inconvenienced by rescheduling of appointments if corneal "moulding" is apparent.
Medical evidence suggests that the likelihood of an enhancement is reduced the longer a patient has had their contact lenses out.
1A minimum of 12 hours of soft contact lenses removal is adequate for the majority of patients. On occasion, however, we find that the eyes are red and irritated with some inflammation, during the pre-operative exam. These symptoms are due to wearing contact lenses for long periods of time. The doctor may request to have a second evaluation with contact lenses removed for one week before surgery is booked. The doctor may also prescribe anti-inflammatory drops before surgery can be performed. This occurrence is not common. However, it is important that patients are aware of this possibility prior to surgery.