Should Patients Wear Glasses During Endoscopy?
Patients undergoing endoscopy do not need to wear their regular prescription glasses during the procedure, but they should wear a surgical mask as part of standard infection control protocols.
Patient Personal Protective Equipment Requirements
The evidence from multiple international endoscopy guidelines consistently addresses what patients should wear during endoscopy procedures, but notably none of the guidelines mention prescription glasses as part of patient preparation or safety equipment 1.
What Patients Should Actually Wear
Based on established endoscopy protocols, patients should wear:
- A surgical mask - This is explicitly recommended when patients arrive at and remain in the endoscopy suite 1
- A cotton gown - Standard procedural attire 1
- A hairnet - Part of infection control measures 1
Why Glasses Are Not Mentioned or Needed
Prescription glasses serve no protective or procedural function during endoscopy and would likely interfere with the procedure for several practical reasons:
- Patients are typically sedated during endoscopy, making visual correction unnecessary 2, 3
- The patient is lying down and not required to see or read anything during the procedure 4
- Glasses could become displaced or damaged during positioning and sedation 4
- Post-procedure, patients should rest lying on their side for up to two hours, during which glasses would be impractical 4
Important Caveat: Healthcare Personnel vs. Patients
It is critical to distinguish that goggles or face shields are required for healthcare professionals performing endoscopy (not patients) as part of eye protection from splash and aerosol exposure 1. The majority of endoscopy societies recommend healthcare workers wear goggles or face shields along with gowns, gloves, and masks 1.
Post-Procedure Considerations
After endoscopy, patients can resume wearing their glasses once they are:
- Alert enough to sit up and take water without difficulty 4
- No longer under the effects of sedation (typically 24 hours post-procedure) 4
The focus should be on ensuring patients wear surgical masks and come unaccompanied to the endoscopy suite, not on whether they wear prescription glasses 1.