Inadvertent LASIK flap creation over a soft contact lens

To report the findings and outcomes in two cases in which a contact lens was inadvertently present during creation of a LASIK corneal flap.

Interventional case report.

A soft contact lens blocked the successful creation of the corneal flap with a femtosecond laser in one patient. Repeat surgery 1 week later resulted in a normal flap. In the second patient, a thin but normal-shaped flap was successfully created using a microkeratome despite the presence of a soft contact lens in the patient's eye. No adverse effect on vision was noted in either case.

Refractive surgeons are encouraged to establish or review current procedures to ensure adequate contact lens removal prior to LASIK surgery, as it may result in an aborted procedure or a potentially thin and/or irregular corneal flap.