Has anyone got any experience of having contact lenses after previous laser surgery?

amandacat

I had lasik about 16 years ago. I was quite unlucky in that I only got about 6 years perfect vision before needed vision correction in one eye and then a few years later the other eye deteriorated too.

I had a nightmare getting fitted with contacts and eventually they found some that worked with my altered corneas, my vision was never perfect with them but workable but after developing astigmatism 2 years ago, there just aren’t soft contacts available that will fit my eyes. Lasik really does mean soft contacts aren’t really an option as your eye shape is different. Plus opticians just don’t seem to understand how to fit contacts in post surgery patients.

I’ve read up that hard/GP contacts are better and there are ones for post surgery eyes but I need to visit an optician who specialises in this and the closest is 3 hours drive from me so it’s a tricky situation.

My vision is better in glasses until I’m driving at night, the glare is terrible but much less in contacts, which is why I’m keen to get contacts.

Long shot I know but wondering if anyone else has had similar issues or solved this?

Undervalued

amandacat wrote: »

I had lasik about 16 years ago. I was quite unlucky in that I only got about 6 years perfect vision before needed vision correction in one eye and then a few years later the other eye deteriorated too.

I had a nightmare getting fitted with contacts and eventually they found some that worked with my altered corneas, my vision was never perfect with them but workable but after developing astigmatism 2 years ago, there just aren’t soft contacts available that will fit my eyes. Lasik really does mean soft contacts aren’t really an option as your eye shape is different. Plus opticians just don’t seem to understand how to fit contacts in post surgery patients.

I’ve read up that hard/GP contacts are better and there are ones for post surgery eyes but I need to visit an optician who specialises in this and the closest is 3 hours drive from me so it’s a tricky situation.

My vision is better in glasses until I’m driving at night, the glare is terrible but much less in contacts, which is why I’m keen to get contacts.

Long shot I know but wondering if anyone else has had similar issues or solved this?

That is due to the damage done to the front of your eye by the laser treatment. In effect it is like putting a scratched filter in front of a camera lens. With a contact lens the scratches are filled by tears retained behind the contact lens so scatter the incoming light less.

My knowledge is limited to the optical aspects and not the medical. So, I have no idea how wise it is to wear contact lenses in such circumstances? Even with the best technology they restrict the amount of air reaching the eye and increase the risk of infections etc. I would certainly try and get expert advice from somebody who is not selling a product!

suki1964

I have scars on my eyes and I can not wear contacts full stop, nor would I now wish to

I aslo have astigmatism which finding soft lenses in the first place was a nightmare and I never did get the clarity I wished I had for driving at night

You can buy glasses to clip over your normal glasses for night driving which helps reduce the glare