The Rochester Eye & Laser Team
While many people can be aided through laser eye surgery, certain people are not good candidates for care. We’d like to take a few moments right now to explore why women who are pregnant or nursing are not considered good candidates for surgery.
About LASIK Surgery
First, it’s helpful to review a few basics about LASIK surgery. During LASIK, a cool laser is used to gently reshape the cornea, the clear outer surface at the front of the eye. By refining the shape of the cornea, light can focus more accurately on the retina, the light‑sensitive tissue at the back of the eye, resulting in clearer vision.
LASIK is performed using numbing eye drops as a local anesthetic, so patients remain comfortable throughout the procedure. Most people experience a relatively quick recovery with a low risk of significant complications.
Why Pregnant Women Are Not Good Candidates for LASIK
While LASIK is a very safe and effective option for vision correction, surgeons will not perform the procedure on women who are pregnant, regardless of the stage of pregnancy.
Hormonal changes during pregnancy can temporarily alter the shape of the cornea and affect a woman’s prescription, which means LASIK measurements may not be accurate and results may not be stable. In addition, the anesthetic eye drops and other medications used during the LASIK procedure and recovery may pose potential risks to a developing fetus.
To help ensure the best possible visual outcome and protect the health of the baby, surgeons take a conservative approach and recommend postponing LASIK until after pregnancy, typically waiting at least a few weeks following delivery before reevaluating candidacy.
Why Women Who Are Nursing Are Not Good Candidates for LASIK
The same restriction on LASIK applies to women who are nursing. As with pregnancy, hormonal changes during breastfeeding can temporarily affect the shape of the cornea and a woman’s glasses or contact lens prescription, which may lead to less predictable LASIK results. In addition, some of the eye drops and medications used during and after surgery can enter the bloodstream and potentially pass into breast milk, which may pose a risk to the baby.
Candidacy for LASIK After Pregnancy and Breastfeeding
A woman’s eligibility for LASIK after pregnancy and breastfeeding is evaluated individually by her eye doctor. It’s important that hormonal levels have stabilized and that breastfeeding has concluded. In many cases, LASIK may be considered once vision and prescriptions have remained stable for at least 3 months after delivery and the end of nursing.
LASIK Alternatives to Consider
While you are pregnant or breastfeeding, the safest and most reliable way to correct your vision is with glasses or contact lenses. These options provide clear vision without exposing your baby to any potential risks from surgical medications or fluctuating prescriptions.
Learn More About Laser Vision Correction
For more information about LASIK surgery and how it can be of great benefit to you and your needs, be sure to contact us. We will be more than happy to go over all of your options for care in greater detail and discuss potential alternatives to refractive surgery if you are not a good candidate for laser treatment.
Want to learn more about LASIK and talk to Dr. Lindahl and his LASIK staff? Join us for a Free Virtual LASIK Seminar, and get all your LASIK questions answered during this interactive event. Get your free tickets by clicking on the image below.
