Can You Get LASIK While Pregnant?

November 30, 2024

Can You Get LASIK Eye Surgery While Pregnant?

Pregnancy is an exciting and transformative time filled with anticipation and planning for the future. If you’re considering LASIK to simplify your life and say goodbye to glasses or contact lenses, you might wonder if pregnancy is the right time to undergo the procedure.

While LASIK offers many benefits, pregnancy introduces unique factors that often make it better to wait until after your baby arrives. Let’s dive into why this recommendation exists, what to expect, and how to plan for LASIK at the perfect time.

How Pregnancy Affects Your Vision

Pregnancy causes a cascade of hormonal changes that impact your body in many ways—and your eyes are no exception. These changes can lead to:

Vision Fluctuations: Hormonal shifts can temporarily alter the shape of your cornea, causing your prescription to change. For some, these changes are minor, but for others, they can significantly impact their ability to see clearly. LASIK permanently reshapes the cornea, so performing the surgery during a period of instability could result in less predictable outcomes.
Dry Eyes: Many pregnant individuals experience dry eye syndrome due to changes in hormone levels. Dry eyes can affect the healing process and increase discomfort after LASIK surgery.
Increased Sensitivity: Pregnancy can heighten your sensitivity to light or make your eyes more prone to irritation, which could complicate recovery after surgery.

Since these changes are typically temporary, it’s best to wait until your hormones—and your vision—have stabilized before proceeding with LASIK.

Why Doctors Recommend Waiting

Beyond the impact of pregnancy on your vision, other factors make waiting for LASIK a safer and more effective choice:

Uncertainty About Medications: LASIK involves the use of numbing eye drops during the procedure and prescription medications afterward to reduce inflammation and promote healing. While these medications are considered safe for most patients, their effects during pregnancy aren’t well-researched. To avoid any potential risks to your baby, many doctors advise postponing elective procedures like LASIK.
Prioritizing Healing: Your body works hard during pregnancy to support your growing baby, which can sometimes slow down your healing process. Since LASIK requires your body to repair and stabilize your cornea, it’s best to schedule the procedure when your body isn’t under the additional strain of pregnancy.
Long-Term Results: Because pregnancy-related vision changes are usually temporary, there’s no guarantee that the vision correction achieved with LASIK during pregnancy will remain accurate after your hormones return to normal. Waiting ensures that your results are long-lasting.

What About Breastfeeding?

If you’re breastfeeding, you may still need to wait a bit longer before scheduling LASIK. While most postpartum hormone fluctuations stabilize a few months after delivery, breastfeeding can prolong these changes for some people. This means that your vision might not be completely stable until you’ve weaned your baby.

It’s important to consult your eye doctor to determine whether your vision has returned to normal. If your prescription has remained unchanged for at least 12 months, you may be ready to move forward with LASIK.

Planning for LASIK at the Right Time

So, when is the best time to get LASIK? The ideal moment is when your prescription has been stable for at least a year, and your body has fully recovered from the hormonal shifts of pregnancy and breastfeeding. Many patients find that the months between pregnancies or after completing their family are the perfect opportunity to pursue LASIK.

Here’s how to prepare:

Schedule a Comprehensive Eye Exam: Your eye doctor will evaluate your vision and ensure your prescription is stable.
Plan for Recovery Time: While LASIK recovery is typically quick, you’ll want to arrange for help with childcare during the first few days after surgery.
Discuss Your Options: If LASIK isn’t the right choice for you, your doctor may recommend alternatives like PRK or SMILE, which can also deliver excellent results.

Clear Vision Is Worth the Wait

While it might be disappointing to postpone LASIK, waiting ensures the best possible results for your vision correction journey. Once your body has returned to its pre-pregnancy state, you’ll be ready to enjoy all the benefits of life without glasses or contact lenses.

At Restivo Laser Vision, we’re committed to helping you achieve your vision goals at the right time for your unique needs. Whether you’re pregnant now or planning ahead, our team is here to guide you every step of the way.

Ready to Take the Next Step?

If you’re considering LASIK or want to learn more about when the timing is right, contact us today to schedule a consultation. Clear vision awaits—you’re one step closer to seeing the world in a whole new way!

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