2020–2021 BCSC Basic and Clinical Science Course™
13 Refractive Surgery
Chapter 11: Considerations After Refractive Surgery
Contact Lens Use After Refractive Surgery
Contact Lenses After LASIK
The indications for contact lens fitting after LASIK are similar to those following other types of refractive surgery. The corneal contour is usually stable by 3 months after LASIK for myopia; however, it may take up to 6 months for the cornea to stabilize after LASIK for hyperopia.
A soft contact lens may be used immediately after LASIK surgery to promote epithelialization and to prevent epithelial ingrowth. It is generally used for several days on an extended-wear basis and then removed by the surgeon. Daily-wear contact lenses for refractive purposes should not be considered until the surgeon believes the risk of flap displacement is low.
Excerpted from BCSC 2020-2021 series: Section 13 - Refractive Surgery. For more information and to purchase the entire series, please visit https://www.aao.org/bcsc.