LASIK, or Laser-Assisted In Situ Keratomileusis, is a procedure that reshapes the cornea to correct common vision issues like nearsightedness, farsightedness, and astigmatism. The goal of LASIK is to provide freedom from glasses and contact lenses. However, the question of whether a person can wear contacts after LASIK is not a simple yes or no answer; it depends entirely on the timing and the specific reason for needing them. The ability to wear them safely is governed by the eye’s healing process and the long-term changes to the corneal shape.
The Immediate Post-LASIK Restriction Period
The period immediately following LASIK surgery is a critical healing phase where contact lenses are strictly prohibited. The procedure involves creating a thin, hinged flap on the cornea and using a laser to reshape the underlying tissue before repositioning the flap. Wearing a contact lens too soon introduces significant safety risks to this delicate, healing structure.
The primary concern is the potential for the flap to be dislodged, wrinkled, or shifted during insertion and removal. The cornea needs time for the flap edge to adhere and for the entire eye surface to stabilize. This healing period also carries an increased susceptibility to infection, and a contact lens can trap bacteria or debris beneath it, greatly elevating that risk.
Your surgeon will direct you to use prescribed therapeutic eye drops, which are formulated to prevent infection and manage inflammation. The typical healing duration before any contact lens consideration is usually a minimum of one month, though many specialists recommend waiting three to six months for complete corneal and visual stability. The exact timeline is personalized and must be confirmed by your eye care professional at a follow-up appointment.
Long-Term Need for Corrective Lenses
Long after the initial healing is complete, some individuals may find they still need or want to wear contact lenses. The most common reason is a small residual refractive error, which means the LASIK correction was not 100% perfect, leaving a minor degree of nearsightedness, farsightedness, or astigmatism. This small error may not affect daily life but can be noticeable during demanding visual tasks, like driving at night, where a contact lens can fine-tune vision.
As people age, they will inevitably experience presbyopia, an age-related loss of near focusing ability that typically begins around age 40. Since LASIK only corrects the shape of the cornea for distance vision, it does not prevent this natural stiffening of the eye’s internal lens. Patients may then require reading glasses, or they might opt for multifocal contact lenses to address both near and distance vision needs simultaneously.
In some cases, a contact lens may be used for therapeutic purposes rather than vision correction. For instance, a bandage contact lens is sometimes placed on the eye immediately after surgery to protect the surface and aid in comfort during the early healing days.
Specialized Contact Lens Fitting Post-Surgery
The success of wearing a contact lens after LASIK hinges on a specialized fitting process because the surgery permanently alters the eye’s shape. LASIK flattens the central cornea to correct myopia, changing its natural convex curve, which makes a standard soft lens difficult to fit correctly. A poorly fitted lens on a post-LASIK cornea can cause discomfort, unstable vision, and potentially compromise the health of the eye.
To achieve a comfortable and clear fit, eye care professionals often turn to specialized lens types. Rigid Gas Permeable (RGP) lenses are frequently preferred because their firm structure creates a smooth, new optical surface over the irregular post-LASIK cornea. These lenses mask any remaining imperfections, such as irregular astigmatism, with a layer of tears trapped beneath the lens.
Another advanced option is the scleral lens, a large-diameter RGP lens that vaults entirely over the altered central cornea and rests only on the sclera, the white part of the eye. This design is highly effective for post-LASIK eyes, offering excellent vision correction and greater comfort by keeping the lens off the sensitive, surgically reshaped area. The fitting process requires advanced diagnostic tools like corneal topography to map the eye’s new contours precisely, making it necessary to consult a specialist experienced with post-refractive surgery eyes.