Can one wear coloured contact lens after LASIK or TransPRK?

Doctor's Answers 3

Photo of Dr Claudine Pang
Dr Claudine Pang

Ophthalmologist

Just wanted to add in a word of advice about coloured contact lenses.

Coloured contact lenses contain extra pigment to give the contact lens its colour. Depending on the manufacturer or brand of these contact lenses, the application process of this pigment on the contact lens might not be done well or properly.

This is especially so if the coloured contact lens is not FDA-approved or have not been through any stringent regulations or certification. It is much too easy to buy coloured contact lenses online these days, however it is uncertain whether these contact lenses have been tested for any side effects prior. So do be careful about where you obtain your coloured contact lenses.

I have seen personally cases of coloured contact lenses causing cornea abrasions (because the pigment on the contact lens is applied roughly and its uneven surface may scratch the cornea). I'm sure you would not want to suffer a cornea abrasion after your refractive surgery procedure. In addition, the pigment from the coloured contact lenses may come out to stain the cornea (such cases have been described).

Although I would not be able to say for certain which brands are trustworthy, my advice would be : If you must wear coloured contact lenses, try to ensure that your coloured contact lenses are FDA-approved at the very least.

Hope that helps!

Dr Claudine Pang

Photo of Dr E-Shawn Goh
Dr E-Shawn Goh

Ophthalmologist

Hi Allyj

The good news is that all the refractive procedures will safely allow you to wear colored contact lenses again!

The only difference compared to normal eyes is that the shape of the post-refractive surgery eye may be more oblate (flattened) compared to normal. Since normal contact lenses are mostly engineered to fit eyes that have not undergone refractive surgery, the contact lens may not fit as well and be prone to rotate or move on your cornea.

Of all the refractive procedures to go with if you had the choice, you should consider SMILE / Relex as there might be a lower incidence of dry eyes after surgery, and perhaps the cornea may have less of an oblate change as a result of the surgery. This would make it most amenable to use colored contact lenses after surgery. Best of luck!

ESG

It’s a myth that one cannot wear contact lens after LASIK or PRK. Rather what may happen is that the contact lens chosen simply needs a slight change in base curve in order to improve the fit of the contact lens.

The experience of wearing contacts lens whether coloured or otherwise very much depends on maintaining good contact lens wearing habits and maintaining a high level of hygiene as is the case in users who never had LASIK.

There really isn’t one treatment that is particularly better for the purpose of wearing contact lens. After all, many look to LASIK or PRK in order to be rid of contact lens.

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Photo of Dr Jimmy  Lim Wei Kheong

Answered By

Dr Jimmy Lim Wei Kheong

Ophthalmologist

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