Cataracts/contact lens

[bbuzz]

I have worn hard contacts for over 50 years.  Before I had my tests for the cataract surgery, I wore soft contacts for three weeks and then glasses for a week.  After the test for the IOL, I was told I could wear my contacts again so I wore the soft lens up until the operation.  Could this have affected the outcome of the operation?  I know I sound unduly worried about my 20/30 vision, but was just wondering if this could be a cause.  I doubt that many people have worn hard lenses for that long a period of time, so if I'm to have my right eye operated on, I'd like to do something different as far as wearing the contacts if this is a factor.  Thanks.  

[John C Hagan III, MD, FACS]

The formula for IOL power determination is based on length of eye, radius of curvitaure of the cornea and some math constants. Wearing contacts changes the cornea radius. If can take 6 weeks or more for a GPCTL to return to normal and a soft CTL maybe 2-3.

The safest thing would be to not wear your contacts for a month or 6 weeks before the measurements are done.

Inconvenient. sure is.

JCH IIII MD