A question we often receive from patients who have undergone surgery or are considering it is: “After ICL surgery, can I still use contact lenses or glasses?”
To give you the short answer: Yes, you can still use contact lenses or glasses after ICL surgery.
In this article, we will explain in an easy-to-understand way the specific situations in which you may need glasses or contact lenses after surgery, as well as important points to keep in mind when using them.
About using “glasses” after ICL surgery
After ICL surgery, glasses can be used safely depending on the purpose and timing.
- 1.Protective glasses immediately after surgery
The eyes are very delicate right after surgery. To prevent bacterial infection through the wound, and to prevent unconscious rubbing of the eyes during sleep, we ask patients to wear the “protective glasses” provided by our clinic for one week after surgery.
- 2. PC glasses, sunglasses, and reading glasses
After eyes have stabilized, patients are free to wear blue-light-blocking glasses or UV-protective sunglasses.
In addition, as presbyopia (age-related farsightedness) progresses with age, many patients also use reading glasses to make close-up text easier to see.
About using “contact lenses (including color contacts)” after ICL surgery
Because the ICL lens is fixed inside the eye, contact lenses that sit on the surface of the eye can still be worn after surgery.
- 1.When patients can start using them
Please refrain from wearing contact lenses until the small surgical wound has completely closed and the risk of infection has passed.
Although there are individual differences, generally patients will need to wait until one month after surgery, and patients may resume wearing them only after receiving permission from the doctor at a follow-up examination.
- 2.Wearing color contact lenses
Since uncorrected vision is sufficiently restored with the ICL, patients can enjoy wearing “non-prescription color contacts” as a fashion item.
However, considering the burden on the cornea and hygiene, we recommend using daily disposable lenses, which require no maintenance and are easier to keep clean.
If you have any questions or concerns in your daily life, such as “My vision seems a little worse” or “I want to wear color contacts but I’m worried about damaging my eyes,” please do not wear them based on your own judgment. Instead, feel free to consult your doctor or our staff during your next follow-up visit.