When it comes to correcting one’s vision, LASIK surgery is the most popular procedure patients undergo for the correction of refractive vision disorders like myopia or nearsightedness, hyperopia, farsightedness, and astigmatism. However, if you are pregnant and wondering, is it safe to undergo this procedure or not?
Thus, being concerned about our patient’s health, here are things to know before doing LASIK surgery and whether it is safe to have LASIK done if you are pregnant or intend to be. Things you should know:
Understanding LASIK Surgery
LASIK, or Laser-Assisted in Situ Keratomileusis, permanently alters corneal tissue as it reshapes corneal tissue with the aid of advanced laser technology. Overall, LASIK surgery is a pretty safe and efficient procedure, but pregnancy comes with some factors of its own that might interfere with the outcome and experience.
Hormonal Changes and Vision
Hormonal changes often cause temporary changes in vision during pregnancy, creating issues in the eyes like dry eyes, blur, or increased sensitivity to light. All these problems can contribute to misjudgment of eye prescription and complicate the success of the LASIK procedure. Hence, most surgeons advise waiting for LASIK until after having a baby and when their eyes return to normal, pre-pregnant condition.
Safety Concerns in Lasik Surgery
Safety at LASIK surgery during pregnancy hasn’t been studied much. Although the surgery itself is barely invasive and is pretty fast, there are a few factors to consider before getting LASIK:
1. Anesthesia and Medications: The eye drops used in LASIK are non-toxic and safe for pregnant women. Although the prescribed medication for post-surgery pain or inflammation may not be safe for women during pregnancy.
2. Healing Process: Due to pregnancy, there might be a delay in healing responses in your body. Thus, pregnant women take longer to heal in their eyes. The hormonal changes during this time add to the variances in visions during the healing period.
3. Stress and Comfort: Pregnancy is such an exacting period that demands a lot from a person and can be stressful not just physically but emotionally as well. The surgery’s pain and discomfort will not be good for a pregnant woman and make her feel inconvenient and uncomfortable.
Expert Recommendations
Considering all these factors, most ophthalmologists, including our team at Tandon Eye Hospital, suggest that this surgery should be postponed until after childbirth and breastfeeding so that your vision stabilizes, and thereby, the temporary changes you might be going through due to your pregnancy are avoided.
Alternatives During Pregnancy
If you have issues with your vision during the period of pregnancy, there are alternatives you can opt for:
• Prescription glasses: The eye care provider can provide you with prescription glasses that reflect the temporary changes in your vision.
• Contact Lenses: These are generally safe to be used in pregnancy, though contact lenses should be well fitted, and hygiene should be maintained without any problems.
Conclusion
If you are considering LASIK surgery and are pregnant or planning to become pregnant, then seek the advice of an eye care specialist. We believe at Tandon Eye Hospital in educating patients about safety first. We are here at Tandon Eye Hospital to discuss your eye care in full detail to help you make an informed decision about your eye care.
It would be better, therefore, to wait until after pregnancy to undergo LASIK surgery, when safety conditions are ensured to achieve the best outcome. It is this phase when due care towards eye health should be provided by attending ordinary check-ups and proper vision correction techniques.
If you have further questions about LASIK or any other eye care concerns, do not hesitate to call Tandon Eye Hospital. Your vision is our priority!
