Suppose you’ve been wearing glasses for any length of time. In that case, chances are you’ve heard about Lasik or other eye treatments that shorten the lifespan of your eyes by making them smaller and more susceptible to cataracts. These treatments can also often be used for other reasons, such as dry eye syndrome or glaucoma. How long do you need to stop wearing contacts before Lasik? Here’s what you need to know.
When to stop wearing contact lenses before Lasik?
Several factors contribute to how long it would take to stop wearing contact lenses. These include your age, wear and tear, health, and other factors affecting your decision. You’ll likely notice a difference in around 6 to 8 weeks. Still, it’s important to remember that the beauty of contacts is not just the beauty of looking but also the safety and comfort they provide.
It’s essential to remember that it would take a lot of normal wear and tear for your eye to become susceptible to a catastrophic problem, like a catastrophic break-in. It’s also important to realize that your best bet is to work on your regular habits to prevent aging and wear contacts as your doctor recommends.
Why do I need to stop wearing contact lenses before Lasik?
If you’re like most people, you first start wearing contact lenses in your 30s or 40s. We think of those years as a time of independence and discovery, but wearing contact lenses has always been a well-implemented way of fighting age-related macular degeneration, a common eye disease.
With Lasik, your doctor creates an artificial lens with only your own eyes. As the lens materializes, your old eyesight will be replaced with an incredible new vision. Still, your mental capacity and memory will not be affected. You should be fine if you follow the same healthy habits and your doctor’s recommended wearing schedule.
Can I wear contact lenses after Lasik?
Unfortunately, Lasik surgery is very different from others that use your own eyes, like vision tracking or refractive eye surgery. Lasik procedures are technical “ortho'” procedures but generally only require wearing glasses day and night for some time. Remember that your average person must wear contact lenses for six months after the procedure.
Is it painful to wear contact lenses after Lasik?
No, it’s not painful to wear contacts after Lasik. It would be, however, if you wore them for the recommended period. They’ll probably be relatively pain-free if you wear them for 3 or 4 hours daily. If you wear them for six months, however, they may feel as if your glasses are being scratched or pricked as each new day brings new challenges and opportunities.
Bottom line
For many people, wearing contacts for extended periods may seem like a good idea. However, some people are hesitant to alter their lifestyle because they risk developing an eye disease. So, even before Lasik eye surgery, you must stop wearing contacts almost two weeks before your eye surgery. Contact your doctor or optician when you have concerns or questions about contacts or eyes.
Perhaps many people are afraid of aging, unsure how to go about it, or don’t like wearing glasses. The good news is that glasses won’t make you sick or cause significant problems. It just takes a lot of effort, and you’re better off.
