The increasingly popular surgical correction for near- and far-sightedness called lasik surgery is not recommended for women who have recently had a baby or who are planning a baby soon, according to doctors at the New York Eye Surgery Center in New York City. Lasik is a laser eye surgery that has helped millions of patients improve their vision. Many patients suffering from myopia (nearsightedness), hyperopia (farsightedness) or astigmatism experience relief from the need for corrective eye wear. A quick procedure with a minimal recovery period, many people are turning to lasik for the best in vision correction.

Lasik is not suitable for everyone. Among many elements contributing to lasik candidacy are age, overall health and the condition of the eyes. Women who are pregnant or nursing, may need to postpone laser eye surgery in order to avoid unnecessary complications.

Lasik eye surgery should be avoided while pregnant or within six months of becoming pregnant. Lasik should also be avoided during breastfeeding. Hormones produced during pregnancy and lactation amplify existing eye conditions. In addition, the increased fluid that a pregnant woman retains actually changes the shape of the eyeball, in turn changing vision. If a woman were to have lasik surgery while pregnant, it would be nearly impossible to tell if any negative changes in eyesight during lasik recovery were because of the surgery or because of the pregnancy.

Many women experience dry, itchy, or light-sensitive eyes due to the drop in estrogen that occurs during pregnancy. Because eyes are normally a little more sensitive and itchy after lasik surgery, not only is this surgery potentially ineffective for pregnant and nursing women, but will be more uncomfortable.

Also, medication given to relieve complications related to lasik can pass through the uterine wall to the unborn child or to the baby through breastfeeding. About two or three months after pregnancy and nursing, the body should return to normal and lasik will once again be a safe option. Most women, however, choose to wait until they are finished having children before having lasik.

Lasik Surgery and Refractive Instability
The goal of laser eye surgery is to pinpoint and correct unwavering refractive errors. As a result of natural hormonal changes, women who are pregnant or nursing commonly experience vision fluctuation. In addition to hormonal changes, vision may also be affected by corneal pressure due to fluid retention. Refractive instability during pregnancy and lactation hinders the ability of the lasik surgeon to determine actual vision problems.

Under the environment of fluctuating vision, an inaccurate assessment of your refractive state can result in an inaccurate lasik surgery procedure. Patients who elect to have lasik while pregnant or nursing may experience overcorrection or undercorrection once hormonal balance returns to the body. In addition, the lasik recovery process will involve periodic vision changes as the eye adjusts to the procedure. But it’s impossible to identify whether vision fluctuation occurs as a result of pregnancy and breastfeeding, or laser eye surgery.

Dry Eyes and Pregnancy
Pregnancy can also cause dry eye conditions. In fact, most women find it too uncomfortable to wear contacts during pregnancy. Dry eye conditions can pose additional difficulties during recovery from laser eye surgery. People with dry eyes experience longer, more troublesome recovery periods.

Lasik Surgery and Medications During Pregnancy
Prescribed medications are another concern for potential lasik patients who are pregnant or nursing. As part of the process, patients are required to take antibiotics and steroid eye drops before and after the lasik procedure. Many patients also receive mild sedatives as a calming agent during laser eye surgery. As a result of entering the bloodstream, your baby will be exposed to these medications.

There are no hard facts about the risk of medications associated with lasik for patients who are pregnant or nursing. However, possibility presents an essential precaution. As an elective procedure, laser eye surgery can easily be postponed in order to avoid unnecessary complications for you and your baby.

Surgery Not for Everyone
Despite what some ads may suggest, the surgery isn’t for everyone. You must have healthy eyes with no visually significant cataracts, glaucoma or severe dry eyes, says laser vision correction specialist Sandra Belmont, M.D. Also, people with extreme nearsightedness or farsightedness may not be eligible, especially if they have a thick cornea, a large pupil and/or an eye that isn’t easy to get to. And, for some farsighted patients, the results may diminish with age as their eyes naturally lose focusing power.

Pregnancy and Postponing Lasik Surgery
Patients who are pregnant, nursing or trying to conceive should postpone laser eye surgery until vision has stabilized. If you are pregnant, it is best to wait at least two months after you have stopped breastfeeding. Women electing not to breastfeed should postpone lasik for a few months after giving birth, allowing enough time for hormonal balance to return. Patients should also wait six months to conceive following laser eye surgery.

Another important consideration is that the drugs used to correct complications of refractive surgery may be dangerous to the pregnancy or may pass through lactation to the infant during breastfeeding. Pregnancy and nursing are contraindications for all types of elective refractive surgery.

Tags: Lasik pregnancy, lasik eye surgery during pregnancy

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