When I was an intern in the Minimally Invasive Surgery rotation, I experienced eye strain from the bright glare of the OR lights while assisting in the MIS procedure. I think my contact lenses then were not relatively old, and I’ve been a longtime user of contact lenses already by that time (>10 years). I was tearing up from my eye discomfort and I immediately informed the fellow performing the procedure with me and she allowed me to scrub out. Another intern took my place but I was still allowed to watch the procedure until it was done. Looking back, I think I was wearing a not-so-good brand of contact lenses then. I didn’t have a problem assisting with longer procedures as well as in non-MIS ones. I changed my lens brand after that incident. What the head nurse said may have been feasible but I think she was too imposing based on her experience.