Can You Get Laser Eye Surgery When Pregnant? Timing Tips

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Pregnancy is a thrilling time filled with changes. But can you get laser eye surgery when pregnant?

This is a common question for women planning a family or already expecting. Knowing the facts can help you know the adequate time for this life-changing procedure.

Let’s look at what happens during pregnancy and why women may delay their laser eye surgery.

Can You Get Laser Eye Surgery When Pregnant?

The short answer is that it’s best to wait. Doctors usually don’t suggest laser eye surgery for pregnant women. Pregnancy causes changes that could affect the eyes and their healing after surgery.

Here’s a closer look at why you may need to wait:

Your Hormones Change Your Vision

During pregnancy, your hormones are working hard to support your baby. These hormonal changes can cause blurred vision or swelling in your cornea. Laser eye surgery has to be very precise. As a result, these temporary changes could make it harder to get the best results.

You Might Have Dry Eyes

Dry eyes are common during pregnancy. Your body might not have as many tears as usual, making your eyes uncomfortable. Having dry eyes during recovery from laser eye surgery could slow your healing.

Eye Drops And Medications

After LASIK surgery, you’ll need eye drops and maybe other medications to help your eyes heal. Some of these aren’t safe to use during pregnancy or while breastfeeding. Waiting ensures your treatment won’t affect your baby or your breast milk.

Safety For Your Baby

Doctors take extra care with pregnant women to avoid anything that could affect the baby. Even though laser eye surgery is useful, it’s better to wait until after your baby is born.

How Pregnancy Changes Your Vision

During pregnancy, your body goes through big changes, and some of these can affect your eyes.

Here are a few ways pregnancy might impact your vision:

Hormonal fluctuations can alter the shape of your cornea.
Fluid retention can make your eyes swell, causing temporary blurred vision.
If you have gestational diabetes, it can result in vision problems that need specific care.

These changes usually go away after your baby is born, but they’re a good reason to wait for surgery.

When Should You Have Laser Refractive Surgery?

If you’re breastfeeding, your body is still going through changes. Significant hormonal changes can affect your eyes. Doctors may suggest waiting until you’ve finished breastfeeding so your eyes are stable.

The best time for laser eye surgery is when:

Your vision has stayed the same for at least a year.
Your hormones have settled after pregnancy and breastfeeding.
You have time to recover without extra stress, like caring for a newborn.

You may wait six months after delivery or breastfeeding before scheduling LASIK surgery.

How To Prepare For LASIK Eye Surgery

When you’re ready to move forward, here’s what you can do:

Talk To An Eye Surgeon: Book a consultation to see if you’re a good candidate for surgery.
Check Your Vision: Make sure your glasses or contact lens prescription hasn’t changed in the past year.
Plan Recovery Time: Arrange for someone to help with your baby or tasks while you rest after surgery.

FAQs About Laser Eye Surgery And Pregnancy

Will pregnancy change my vision?

If you’re a pregnant woman, any vision changes during pregnancy are mostly temporary. If you notice lasting changes, talk to your eye doctor.

What happens if I get pregnant after laser eye surgery?

If you’ve already had laser eye surgery, becoming pregnant shouldn’t harm your results. Yet, you may have temporary vision changes during pregnancy with hormonal changes. These usually resolve after giving birth.

Can I wear contact lenses during pregnancy if I can’t have laser eye surgery?

Yes! But your eyes may become too dry or sensitive for contact lenses during pregnancy. If this happens, switching to glasses temporarily can help.

Does laser eye surgery affect future pregnancies?

No, having laser eye surgery won’t impact future pregnancies. It’s an elective surgery that corrects vision. Yet, timing it right ensures great outcomes.

What should I do if my vision changes during pregnancy?

Temporary vision changes during pregnancy are normal. Talk to your doctor if you have other symptoms, like headaches or eye pain. This step is key to ruling out conditions like gestational diabetes.

Conclusion

Having laser eye surgery is an exciting way to improve your vision, but timing matters. Waiting until after pregnancy and breastfeeding keeps you and your baby healthy.

Take this time to enjoy your pregnancy and your new baby. When you’re ready, an eye surgeon can help you achieve clearer vision and a life without visual aids.

If you have more questions, talk to a professional who can give you the right advice.

Get in touch with Dr Anton Van Heerden today at 03 9000 0389. He’ll tell you about your eyes, plans, and the best time for your surgery. Whether you’re ready now or just exploring your options, he’s here in Melbourne to help you.

Note: Any surgical or invasive procedure carries risks. Before proceeding, you should seek a second opinion from an appropriately qualified health practitioner.

Sources:

Shmunes K, Libfraind L, Ma L, Vinciguerra R, Skurski Z, Feldman B H., Markovitz B J. & Reddy V 2024. LASIK and Pregnancy Warren N, editor. EyeWiki. Available at: https://eyewiki.org/LASIK_and_Pregnancy [Accessed November 18, 2024]

Silver N 2021. What Causes Dry Eyes After LASIK Surgery, and How to Treat Them. Healthline. Available at: https://www.healthline.com/health/dry-eye/dry-eyes-after-lasik [Accessed November 18, 2024]

WebMD Editorial Contributors 2022. Am I a Candidate for Refractive or Laser Eye Surgery? WebMD. Available at: https://www.webmd.com/eye-health/candidate-refractive-laser-eye-surgery [Accessed November 18, 2024]