Understanding the Risks of LASIK Surgery During Pregnancy: Hormonal Changes and Medication Safety

Introduction: Pregnancy brings with it numerous physiological changes, impacting various aspects of health, including vision. For expecting mothers considering LASIK surgery—a popular method for correcting vision—it’s crucial to understand why delaying this procedure until after pregnancy and breastfeeding is widely recommended by healthcare professionals. This article delves into the hormonal changes during pregnancy that affect vision and discusses the safety concerns regarding medications used during LASIK procedures.

Hormonal Changes During Pregnancy: Impact on Vision

During pregnancy, significant hormonal fluctuations occur, particularly with estrogen, progesterone, and relaxin. These changes can affect the eyes in several ways:

1. Estrogen and Progesterone:

   • These hormones cause fluid retention, affecting the thickness and curvature of the cornea. This can temporarily change how light is refracted onto the retina, potentially leading to inaccuracies in pre-LASIK eye examinations.

2. Relaxin:

   • Known for relaxing ligaments and joints in preparation for childbirth, relaxin also softens the cornea, leading to unstable vision during pregnancy.

3. Fluid Retention:

   • Increased body fluids can lead to corneal edema (swelling), causing blurred vision and temporary refractive changes, which are critical considerations for LASIK planning.

4. Increased Intraocular Pressure:

   • Although generally reduced during pregnancy, the fluctuations in intraocular pressure can impact vision assessments crucial for LASIK surgery.

5. Dry Eyes:

   • Hormonal changes increase the likelihood of dry eye syndrome, which can affect LASIK outcomes and increase post-operative discomfort.

Medications Used in LASIK and Their Risks During Pregnancy

LASIK surgery involves various medications, each carrying potential risks during pregnancy:

1. Antibiotics:

   • Fluoroquinolones (e.g., Ciprofloxacin, Levofloxacin) are used to prevent infections but are advised against during pregnancy due to potential fetal developmental risks.

2. Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs):

   • Diclofenac, Ketorolac are used for pain management but are recommended to be avoided during the late stages of pregnancy due to risks to fetal cardiovascular and renal function.

3. Steroids:

   • Prednisolone eye drops manage inflammation but should be used cautiously to avoid impacts on fetal growth.

4. Anesthetics:

   • Tetracaine, Benzocaine are generally safe in localized, low doses, yet their use should be minimized to reduce potential risks.

The Safe Approach to LASIK During Reproductive Years

Given the potential vision fluctuations and medication risks, delaying LASIK until after pregnancy and breastfeeding is prudent. This delay ensures that vision has stabilized at pre-pregnancy levels, and the absence of breastfeeding eliminates risks of medication transmission to the newborn.