PURPOSE: To evaluate the fitting and use of contact lens in patients submitted to refractive surgery. METHODS: This was a retrospective study in 53 patients submitted to refractive surgery who later started to use contact lens, from 1999 to 2003. The parameters were: previous ametropia, refractive surgery procedure, ametropia after surgery, postoperative spherical equivalent, postoperative keratometry, base curve of fitted contact lens, contact lens design, final visual acuity with spectacles after surgery, final visual acuity with contact lens, complications and the reason for stopping the use. The follow-up of patients ranged from 1 month to 84 months (average of 42,5 months). RESULTS: Of 53 evaluated patients, 19 patients had undergone LASIK (Laser Assisted in Situ Keratomileusis), 29 patients had undergone RK (radial keratotomy), 4 patients had undergone PRK (photorefractive keratectomy) and in one patient it was not possible to know which surgery was performed. 61.29% of the patients (57 eyes of a total of 93 eyes) were fitted with rigid gas-permeable lenses. There was an improvement of visual acuity in 60.21% of the cases (VA>20/40), with few complications. CONCLUSION: Due to the great number of performed refractive surgery, an increase in the number of patients unhappy with the postoperative result is expected, and for these patients, many times the use of contact lens is the best option. The fitting of contact lenses after refractive surgery demands knowledge, dedication and has good results principally regarding better visual acuity.
Contact lenses; Refractive errors; Visual acuity; Retrospective studies
