UK Keratoconus Self-Help and Support Association

I am trying to find out how long I should leave my RGP contact lens out for before my forthcoming cataract surgery.

I have been told to leave my lens out for 48 hours before the op but looking on the internet the period recommended is generally somewhere between 1 and 2 weeks; the Moorfields booklet actually says 4 weeks!

The biometrist also would prefer me not to wear a lens in either eye, not just the eye in question..

I shall be grateful if Andrew, Pat and anybody else could let me know their experiences regarding this because for obvious reasons, I would like to keep my lenses in for as long as possible.

When I had my INTACS done in my left eye, I believe my doctor told me not to wear the lens for approximately 48 hours prior to the surgery. It wasn't much a problem since I only had the surgery on one eye and could still wear my other lens.

If I recall correctly, my surgery was around 4:30pm on a Monday and I was told not to wear my left lens over the weekend (sat, sun, and all of monday).

If you can get by with only a lens in your non-surgery eye, I'd say that it can't hurt to go a week or two without a lens in the eye to be operated on. In general though, you can probably trust your surgeon.

Michael,

Perhaps the recomendations area round those who wear lenses for cosmetic reasons and can get away with glasses.

You may have been advised differently because you need lenses to actually see.

Michael
I was asked to leave my SOFT lenses out for 48 hours on the "to be operated on" eye only.. Sorry I can't help I'm afraid with how long to leave RGP's out as I wasn't wearing them then(but hey - I've got mine now - report on my traumatic/exciting/tiring - but hopefully successful - day to follow separately).

But I asked becuase of the conflicting information around - so would recomend you ask your surgeon - I know they are all different!

Pat

Thanks for your replies.

I think I will leave the lens out for a week

Michael

I'm afraind that I am not in a position to answer your question: I no longer wear contact lenses.

I do not really know how much time it takes for your eye to revert to its "natural" shape when you take out your lenses. However, I do wish you well for your surgery.

Andrew

Thanks Andrew for your kind wishes

Michael

You are told to leave lenses out because lenses can distort the cornea. The biometrist needs an accurate assessment of your refraction so that they can calculate correctly the power of your implant. This is why you were asked tp leave out the other lenses as well as valuable info is gained by looking at both eyes.

I would say to leave them out at least 2 weeks - but to be sure you need to talk again to the biometrist so that he/she knows exactly your situation.

Good luck!

Lynn

Thanks Lynn.

Goodness me, I haven't got 2 weeks!

I'd better phone the consultant's secretary tomorrow to find out more. It was she who said the biometrist wanted the lens out, for either one or two weeks, i can't remeber which, but the consultant said 48 hours would be ok!

Hehe...

Best to check then!

Lynn