How Long Should You Stop Wearing Contacts Before LASIK?

One important step that often surprises patients considering LASIK surgery is that you’ll need to stop wearing your contact lenses before your consultation and surgery. Why? Contact lenses can temporarily change the shape of your cornea; the very part of the eye that LASIK surgery reshapes.

Keeping eye measurements accurate means giving your eyes time to return to their natural shape. This allows your surgeon to map your cornea correctly, calculate your eye health, and plan your surgery with the correct level of precision.

Why You Need to Stop Wearing Contacts Before LASIK

Wearing contact lenses, especially daily, puts a slight amount of pressure on the surface of your eye. Over time, this can subtly distort your cornea’s natural curvature. Taking measurements while your cornea is still affected by lenses may lead to inaccurate corneal scans, incorrect treatment data, less precise surgical planning, and suboptimal vision correction.

In some cases, your surgery may need to be delayed so that your eyes have more time to stabilise. That’s why it’s essential to follow the expert instructions on when to stop wearing your lenses. It’s a small step, but it makes a big difference in getting the best possible results. Pausing contact lens use gives your cornea time to stabilise to allow our expert surgeons to treat your eyes exactly as they are, in their most natural and unaltered state.

Timelines Based on Contact Lens Type

Different lenses affect the cornea in different ways. Here’s a general guide:

  • Soft Contact Lenses: Stop wearing soft lenses at least 3 days before your laser evaluation.

  • Toric Lenses (for Astigmatism): Discontinue use 1 week before your consultation.

  • Rigid Gas Permeable (RGP) or Hard Lenses: You may need to stop wearing these for 4 weeks, or longer depending on your surgeon’s advice.

These timelines also apply if you’re asking how long to stop wearing contacts before PRK surgery. Removing contact lenses early is just as important for PRK as it is for LASIK or SILK, because both require precise measurements of your cornea.

The times given here are nothing more than general guidelines. Always follow the personalised timeline provided by your eye surgeon, who will take into account lens type, how long you’ve been wearing your lenses, and your overall eye health.

What You Can Expect From Your LASIK Consultation

When you consult one of our experienced laser eye specialists about your vision concerns, this is what you can expect:

  • A comprehensive assessment of your eye health.

  • Measurement of corneal thickness and curvature.

  • 3D corneal mapping using topography.

  • A personalised surgical plan tailor-made to your eyes and visual goals.

Getting to Grips With the LASIK Procedure

What Happens on the Day of Surgery

LASIK is a quick, comfortable outpatient procedure. Here’s what your surgery will look like:

  • Anaesthetic drops are applied with no needles or injections required.

  • A thin flap is created on the surface of the cornea using a microkeratome or femtosecond laser.

  • A cool excimer laser reshapes the corneal tissue to correct your vision.

  • The flap is gently repositioned without the use of stitches.

This entire procedure will take just 10–15 minutes per eye.

Your LASIK Recovery and Results

Recovery from LASIK is typically quick and uncomplicated. Most of our patients notice clearer vision within the first 24 hours after surgery, although it’s common to experience some mild blurriness, light sensitivity, or dry eyes during the initial healing period. This usually lasts only a few days post-surgery.

Your vision will continue to stabilise as the eyes heal completely over the following weeks. For patients with stable, healthy eyes, LASIK brings results that are both predictable and long-term. Our expert team will provide thorough aftercare instructions and schedule regular follow-ups to monitor your healing. This ensures the very best outcome for your eyes and vision.

Why We’re the Leading Eye Laser Specialists in Melbourne

  • Expert Surgical Experience: Professor Noel Alpins has performed over 40,000 laser procedures, making him a world leader in his field.

  • Advanced Technology: We use the latest technology for precise, long-lasting results.

  • Personalised Care: From your first consultation to final follow-up, our experienced team provides the expert, attentive care you need.

  • Proven Results: We have thousands of satisfied patients, with 99% of individuals no longer needing glasses.

  • Transparent Pricing: You’ll always get clear, upfront pricing which includes flexible payment options that suit your individual needs and budget.

Prepare for LASIK the Right Way

Stopping contact lens use before LASIK, SILK or PRK might seem like a small step, but it plays a big role in your surgical success. At NewVision Clinics, our experts will walk you through the whole process from start to finish. This means you experience a smooth, confident path towards clearer vision.

Book your LASIK consultation today, or speak to one of our LASIK experts about setting up a no-cost, no-obligation assessment of your eyes.

FAQs

Can I wear glasses while I’m taking a break from contacts?

Yes, absolutely. We encourage it. Wearing glasses during this period allows your corneas to return to their natural shape without compromising your vision.

Do I need to stop wearing contacts before the consultation, or just the surgery?

You should stop wearing them before your consultation. This ensures all tests and measurements reflect your eyes’ true condition, leading to more accurate planning for the surgery itself.