How long do you have to stop wearing contacts before LASIK?

If you’re thinking about LASIK, you’ve probably heard you need to stop wearing contact lenses before your consultation and surgery. But why? And for how long?

Here’s the short answer:
Yes, you need to stop wearing contacts and how long depends on what type you use.

In this post, we’ll explain why it matters, how long you should stop before LASIK, and what you can expect.

Why do you need to stop wearing contacts?

Contact lenses sit directly on your cornea. Over time, they can slightly change its shape. That means your cornea might not be in its natural state when we do your LASIK measurements.

If we take measurements while your cornea is still shaped by contacts, your surgery results might not be as accurate.

Letting your eyes go back to their natural shape helps us plan a safer, more precise treatment.

How long should you stop before LASIK?

Here’s a general guideline:

• Soft contact lenses: Stop wearing them 3 to 7 days before your consultation and before surgery.
• Toric lenses (for astigmatism): Stop for at least 2 weeks.
• Hard or gas-permeable lenses: Stop for 3 to 4 weeks, sometimes longer.

Your LASIK surgeon will give you the exact timeframe based on your lens type and how long you’ve been wearing them.

What if you forget and wear contacts anyway?

If you wear contacts too close to your appointment, we may need to reschedule your scans or delay surgery. This is to make sure your measurements are correct.

It’s better to take a short break now and get the best long-term result.

Can you wear glasses instead?

Yes. Most people switch to glasses during the contact lens break.

It might feel strange if you haven’t worn glasses in a while, but it’s worth it. Plus, it gives your eyes time to breathe and reset.

What’s the goal?

The goal is to get the most accurate map of your cornea. We use this data to guide the laser and shape your cornea during surgery.

Better accuracy means better vision after surgery.

What about after surgery?

You won’t need to go back to contacts. That’s the beauty of laser eye surgery. Most people enjoy clear vision without glasses or lenses once they’ve healed.

What if you wear lenses for keratoconus or other conditions?

Special cases like rigid gas-permeable lenses or scleral lenses may require longer break times. These lenses can significantly alter corneal shape.

Talk to your surgeon. We’ll guide you through every step based on your eye history.

Take the first step today

Not sure if LASIK is right for you? Take our free suitability self-test. It’s quick, easy, and personalized to your vision needs.