Can Pregnant Women Do LASIK Surgery?

Can Pregnant Women Do LASIK Surgery?

Can Pregnant Women Do LASIK Surgery?

Laser-assisted in situ keratomileusis, or commonly abbreviated as LASIK, is a procedure that is considered capable of treating nearsightedness, farsightedness, and astigmatism. Although it is believed to help treat eye vision abnormalities, not just anyone can do LASIK surgery. Now, what if lasik surgery is done during pregnancy, is it okay?

LASIK surgery during pregnancy, safe or not?

Reported from the Very Well Health page, you are not recommended to do LASIK surgery during pregnancy. Indeed, this procedure can clarify vision by improving the shape of the cornea so that light falls on the retina.

But on the other hand, hormonal changes that occur during pregnancy will cause changes in the anatomy of the eye. Especially the shapeand thickness of the cornea, which has a major role in LASIK surgery. Finally, it not only affects your vision later, but also risks complicating the healing process after surgery.

Before, during, and after LASIK surgery the doctor will usually prescribe some medicines. Ranging from medicine to eye drops. Unfortunately, all of these drugs can easily enter the bloodstream, which risks risking the developing fetus in the womb.

In addition, sometimes the tear component will also change during pregnancy which makes the eyes feel drier than usual. If lasik surgery during pregnancy is done, it is not impossible that it will worsen your dry eyes.

Because, LASIK surgery will affect the corneal nerves, the new ones will recover within the next three to six months. During this time, the eyes will be difficult to produce tears so they tend to feel dry. The recovery process after surgery will be disrupted and become slower than it should if done during pregnancy.

The last reason but no less important, namely the effects of exposure and radiation carried out during LASIK surgery can affect the fetus. Although the risk is not too large, you should still consider it. Especially during the first trimester of pregnancy.

So, when can pregnant women get lasik surgery?

You certainly can do LASIK surgery, it's just not done when you're pregnant or breastfeeding. Yes, these two times you are advised not to do LASIK because of hormone levels in the body that affect the basic structure of the eye. Health experts recommend waiting at least if you have had two menstrual cycles after the breastfeeding period is over.