Contact Lens Removal for Optimal Laser Eye Surgery Results
Contact lens removal in the lead up to a laser eye surgery consultation and the surgery day is imperative for optimal results. There are various types of contact lenses which have different ‘washout periods’ (a set period of time that treatment must cease). Let’s discuss this in a little more detail.
How contact lenses change our cornea
A contact lens is a thin round lens that sits on the surface of the eye. It is used to correct refractive errors such as:
- Short-sight (myopia)
- Long-sight (hyperopia)
- Astigmatism
- Presbyopia
- A combination of the mentioned
When refractive error is present, the light that enters the eye does not come to focus directly onto the retina (located at the back inside of the eye). This means that whatever you are looking at, is blurry. The degree of refractive error determines the level of blur. A contact lens can be used to slightly reshape the surface of the cornea, allowing light to refract directly onto the retina, creating a clear image.
Various types of contact lenses
If you are a contact lens wearer, you will know that there are different types of contact lenses to correct vision. The main deciding factors that determine the best type of contact lens for the wearer are:
- Level of refractive error (your prescription)
- Lifestyle
- Eye shape
- General eye health
- Existing dry eye symptoms
These types include:
*(abb. CL = contact lens)
Soft CL’s
Made of flexible plastic, these are the most common type of contact lens. They are comfortable, easy to adjust to, and can correct near-sightedness and farsightedness. However, they can absorb pollutants like soap and lotion, and they are fragile.
Ortho-keratology
Also known as ortho-k, these lenses are worn overnight to temporarily change the shape of the cornea. They are most commonly prescribed to correct nearsightedness. The effects of ortho-k are not permanent, and the lenses must be worn consistently.
Gas permeable (RGP)
Also known as rigid gas permeable (RGP) lenses, these are harder than soft lenses and are made of silicone polymers. They are durable, keep their shape well, and can correct astigmatism and other refractive errors. However, they may be less comfortable than soft lenses at first.
Hybrid CL’s
These lenses have a rigid gas permeable central zone surrounded by a hydrogel or silicone hydrogel material. They are designed to be comfortable like soft lenses, but with the clear optics of RGP lenses.
Toric / Non-toric
Toric means that the contact lens provides correction for astigmatism. A non-toric lens (you guessed it!) means that the contact lens does not correct for astigmatism.
NB: CL’s can create a lot of waste because they are made from non-biodegradable plastic. Some research suggests that contact lenses can shed microplastic particles, and the potential impact on human health is not yet known.
How to maintain good vision during the washout period
Patients wearing RGP / ortho-K / hybrid CL’s can co-ordinate with their Optometrist to use soft CL’s in the lead up to their consultation. As per the chart, soft CL’s must be removed 2 weeks prior to the consultation where pre-operative scans that map the cornea are performed. Patients must be prepared to have a set of glasses that provide reasonable vision.
Do all procedures require the CL removal period or only laser eye surgery?
The CL removal period discussed above, applies to almost all procedures performed at Insight Eye Clinic. These include:
If you would like to enquire about any procedure, please contact us on 08 9440 4033. Dr Graham Furness is our Chief Surgeon who performs all the surgical procedures. We have 2 locations in the Perth area: Subiaco and Westminster.
