LASIK and Pregnancy

Is It Safe to Undergo LASIK When I’m Pregnant?

Pregnancy causes many changes to a woman’s body, and the changes to the eyes may make some women wonder if LASIK and pregnancy are a good combination. Of course, any surgical procedure should be approached cautiously during pregnancy, but the baby is not the primary concern of LASIK. Rather, the visual changes that might make you consider LASIK are the same ones that might keep you from having the procedure.

LASIK is not likely to be unsafe for the baby, but there is some concern that the dilating drops used before and after the surgery could pose a problem. Some of each drop gets into the bloodstream of the mother, and most drops have not been tested on pregnant women. Similarly, the mild sedative is given during LASIK, and the steroids given after the procedure, have not been tested to determine whether they are safe during pregnancy. Especially during the first trimester, it is best to proceed with caution when introducing medication into the system of the pregnant woman.

The eye changes in the mother are the main reason that LASIK is not a great idea for someone who is pregnant. Pregnancy’s hormonal shifts can bring fluid retention that causes swelling of the lens inside the eye, which can have an effect on your prescription. In fact, changing vision is sometimes the first symptom of pregnancy! Typically, pregnant women become more nearsighted, though some may experience a shift towards farsightedness. This often shifts again after pregnancy, so any correction a woman gets while she is pregnant may not work once the mother has had the baby and finished breastfeeding.

Another eye complaint about pregnant women is dry eye. Most pregnant women find that their eyes are so dry that they cannot even wear contacts. This is a problem because dry eyes do not heal from LASIK as well as those that are sufficiently lubricated. Even breastfeeding alters the hormones significantly, so most LASIK surgeons recommend waiting for two menstrual cycles after weaning before having the LASIK procedure.

It is clear; LASIK and pregnancy are not a winning combination. It is far better to put off this elective procedure until a time when it will be less risky and more effective. When you are ready for corrective laser surgery, though, consider Dallas LASIK surgeon Dr. Tylock. Dr. Gary Tylock is a pioneer of LASIK surgery, having performed over twenty thousand of these procedures over the course of his twenty-year career. In fact, he has been instrumental in developing some of the tools used in LASIK surgery. Visit the Tylock website to learn more about how our competent and committed staff can help you to improve your vision.