Cataract Surgery Measurements & Contacts

Question: How long should you go without hard contacts before a true measurement for cataract surgery can be taken?


Answer: There is no hard and fast rule for the discontinuation of contact lens wear in order to take measurements for Cataract Surgery and Lens Implants (IOL) as it can vary greatly depending on the cumulative length of time the contact lenses have been worn for, the health and shape of the cornea and the individual patient ocular rigidity. However, as a practical matter during your initial examination and consultation the shape, topography and thickness of your cornea can be measured giving some indication of the degree of change induced by your contact lenses-if any! It may be necessary to have you discontinue them for some time and recheck the stability and reproducibility of the measurements after a few weeks. Once there are two consistent sets of measurements the final calculations can be performed. Sometimes this can take as few as two weeks and sometimes-if there is considerable distortion in the shape of the cornea-it can take a couple of months. Be patient and follow your Cataract Surgeon's instructions carefully.

Important Note: The information presented on the About Cataract Surgery Blog or provided in response to a request for information in the Ask Cataract Surgeons section on aboutcataractsurgery.com is not intended to diagnose or treat eye problems, eye conditions or eye diseases including appropriateness of treatment, risks, complications or side effects as related to Cataracts, Cataract Surgery of Lens Implants. In particular a response to an inquiry made on the Ask Cataract Surgeons section of aboutcataractsurgery.com is not meant to take the place of the professional medical care provided by your eye doctor, ophthalmologist and Cataract Surgeon surgeon. Contacting us via e-mail or any other means is not a substitute for medical care.