Pregnant women are generally advised to avoid elective or unnecessary surgeries because of the potential risks to both the mother and the developing baby. The same holds true for why pregnant women shouldn’t have LASIK. Here’s why:
- Hormonal Changes and Increased Risk of Miscarriage:
- Risk to the Fetus: Surgical procedures can increase risk especially if certain medications are involved. The medications used before and after LASIK, such as antibiotics and steroid eye drops, may cross the placenta and may not be safe for the growing baby. While LASIK does not require sedation or anesthesia, many patients have stress or anxiety about being wide awake for the procedure and may need additional medication to calm down that may not be suitable for the fetus. The safety of these medications is not guaranteed especially in the first trimester when the baby’s organs are developing.
- Complications:
- Blood Pressure and Circulation: Pregnancy can alter a woman’s blood pressure and circulation, it may be difficult to maintain stable blood pressure during surgery.
- Unstable Vision: Pregnancy hormones, such as estrogen and progesterone, can cause changes in the shape and thickness of the cornea, leading to temporary shifts in vision. These changes also affect the accuracy of LASIK — corneal thickness is a primary factor in a successful outcome. Correcting vision during pregnancy could result in over or under correction, causing a second surgery down the line.
- Dry Eyes: Pregnancy can worsen dry eyes causing discomfort, irritation and slower healing.
- Stress and Emotional Impact:
- Stress on the Body: Surgery places physical stress on the body, which can affect both the mother and baby. Increased stress hormones can contribute to unrelated eye complications such as preterm labor.
- Delayed Recovery and Immune Suppression:
- Slower Recovery: During pregnancy, the body already works harder to support mother and baby. Pregnancy naturally suppresses the immune system to prevent rejection of the fetus, making infection and inflammation of greater risk following LASIK.
- Positioning and Risk of Compression:
- Supine Hypotensive Syndrome: While LASIK is generally a super quick and painless procedure, in the later stages of pregnancy, lying flat on the back during surgery can compress the inferior vena cava (a major blood vessel), reducing blood flow to the heart causing low blood pressure, potentially reducing oxygen supply to both mother and baby.
In certain situations, such as appendicitis or trauma, surgery may be necessary, but LASIK surgery does not qualify as an emergency that warrants surgical intervention while a woman is pregnant. Most ophthalmologists advise waiting until several months after pregnancy and breastfeeding are complete to pursue LASIK, ensuring hormone levels return to normal and any vision changes stabilize.
If you have noticed any changes to vision, call 208-524-2025 for an eye exam today. To learn more about LASIK options now or in the future at Idaho Eye Center, visit WEBSITE.