Is LASIK Eye Surgery Safe When Pregnant or Breastfeeding?

There are many things women must avoid or limit while expecting, so you may be wondering if undergoing LASIK eye surgery is safe while pregnant or breastfeeding. But just like pregnant women are told to avoid certain activities, such as soaking in a hot tub or changing a cat’s litter box, laser eye surgery is one activity that is best and most safely performed before pregnancy or after giving birth. Below, we discuss when pregnant and postpartum women can undergo LASIK eye surgery.

Is LASIK Eye Surgery Recommended in Pregnancy?

Pregnant women are not eligible for laser vision correction. The medication used to dilate the pupils is not recommended for use when expecting.

Additionally, LASIK isn’t advised during pregnancy because it can result in incorrect changes to your cornea. Pregnancy is a time when the body is undergoing a variety of hormonal and physical changes. In fact, as the American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO) explains, some women experience variations in their vision while expecting due to these changes, which can alter your glasses or contact lens prescription.

Vision problems are often the result of an error in how our eyes refract light. LASIK eye surgery works by reshaping the cornea to correct the refraction. Prior to the procedure, we use advanced diagnostic technology and a variety of pre-operative tests to measure the thickness and shape of your cornea, which allows our team to create a pre-specified pattern that determines what shape the cornea must take to correct the refractive errors.

However, during pregnancy, hormonal changes can cause the cornea to change shape, which is why prescriptions can change. Specifically, the thickness and curvature of the cornea can increase due to the hormones, WebMD notes. Sometimes these changes are temporary, and your vision returns to what it was previously post-pregnancy. But there are other times in which these changes are permanent.

You can still book your free, pre-operative consultation at any time, even in pregnancy. We can perform all the necessary diagnostic tests required on pregnant patients, but we will book your surgery for a date after you’ve given birth. We will also recheck your measurements on the day of your procedure. We ask that you notify us when scheduling your pre-operative appointment if you’re pregnant or plan to become pregnant in the near future.

Is LASIK Eye Surgery Safe When Postpartum or Breastfeeding?

Yes - people who are breastfeeding are eligible for laser vision correction. Lactation will not interfere with the results of your procedure or your recovery. After you’ve given birth, you can undergo LASIK, whether you’re breastfeeding or not.

To learn more about LASIK eye surgery, we encourage you to book a free consultation. Our team of experts at LASIK MD will be happy to address any questions or concerns you may have. We’ll be able to confirm your candidacy through a variety of diagnostic tests and recommend the best treatment options for you. Book a free, no obligation consultation today.