Updated on June 21, 2024
Our Readers Asked About: LASIK During Pregnancy Or While Breastfeeding
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Reader Question: I'm pregnant. Is it safe to get LASIK during pregnancy or while breastfeeding?
It’s generally not recommended to get LASIK surgery while pregnant or breastfeeding.
Here’s why:
- Hormonal changes — Pregnancy and breastfeeding can cause hormonal fluctuations. These fluctuations can affect your eyes, potentially changing your vision and prescription.
- Fluid retention — Pregnancy can lead to fluid retention, which can temporarily change the shape of the cornea, making it difficult to achieve the desired vision correction.
- Medication — The medications used during, before, and after surgery haven’t been studied for safety during pregnancy and breastfeeding. Although the risks are likely small, it’s best to avoid unnecessary medications during these periods.
Overall, the changes your body experiences during pregnancy or breastfeeding can affect the outcome and effectiveness of LASIK surgery. Because of this, doctors typically recommend delaying LASIK until after these periods. This will allow your hormones to stabilize and your vision to return to its pre-pregnancy state, ensuring a more predictable outcome.
If you’re struggling with your eyesight during your pregnancy, talk to your eye doctor about alternative solutions. They may be able to offer temporary adjustments to your prescription or suggest other options to help you manage your prescription safely.
About Our Contributors
Mara Sugue, with a B.A. in Social Sciences, is a dedicated web content writer for Vision Center. She is committed to making eye health research accessible and understandable to people from diverse backgrounds and educational levels. Her writing aims to bridge the gap between complex vision health topics and readers' needs for clear, factual information.
Dr. Melody Huang is an optometrist and freelance health writer with a passion for educating people about eye health. With her unique blend of clinical expertise and writing skills, Dr. Huang seeks to guide individuals towards healthier and happier lives. Her interests extend to Eastern medicine and integrative healthcare approaches. Outside of work, she enjoys exploring new skincare products, experimenting with food recipes, and spending time with her adopted cats.