Dear md09,
Thanks for your concern regarding laser surgery to get rid of glasses, medically it is known as LASIK (laser-assisted in situ keratomileusis).
I am sorry to say LASIK is not recommended during pregnancy or soon after delivery (until two month after you stop breast feeding) or soon (within six month) getting pregnant.
Hormones produced during pregnancy and lactation amplify existing eye conditions. In addition, the increased fluid that a pregnant woman retains actually changes the shape of the eyeball, in turn changing vision.
Under the environment of fluctuating vision, an inaccurate assessment of your refractive state can result in an inaccurate Lasik surgery procedure. Patients who elect to have Lasik while pregnant or nursing may experience overcorrection or undercorrection once hormonal balance returns to the body. In addition, the Lasik recovery process will involve periodic vision changes as the eye adjusts to the procedure. But it’s impossible to identify whether vision fluctuation occurs as a result of pregnancy and breastfeeding, or laser eye surgery.
Many women experience dry, itchy, or light-sensitive eyes due to the drop in estrogen that occurs during pregnancy. Because eyes are normally a little more sensitive and itchy after LASIK surgery, not only is this surgery potentially ineffective for pregnant and nursing women, but will be more uncomfortable.
Another problem is that the eye surgeon will frequently prescribe mild sedation during the surgery, and you'll need to take antibiotic and cortisone drops before and after the operation. All of these drugs are absorbed into the bloodstream through the mucous membranes, and they potentially could have a detrimental effect on the baby, especially in the first trimester (first three month of pregnancy).
Beside this medication given to relieve complications related to LASIK can pass through the uterine wall to the unborn child or to the baby through breastfeeding. About two or three months after pregnancy and nursing, the body should return to normal and LASIK will once again be a safe option. Most women, however, choose to wait until they are finished having children before having LASIK. For further information on pregnancy and LASIK surgery, consult with your doctor.
Download here for LASIK surgery animated info.
Despite what some ads may suggest, the surgery isn’t for everyone. You must have healthy eyes with no visually significant cataracts, glaucoma or severe dry eyes, says laser vision correction specialist Sandra Belmont, M.D. Also, people with extreme nearsightedness or farsightedness may not be eligible, especially if they have a thick cornea, a large pupil and/or an eye that isn’t easy to get to. And, for some farsighted patients, the results may diminish with age as their eyes naturally lose focusing power.
I hope it was helpful.
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