Can You Get LASIK while Breastfeeding?
If you’re a breastfeeding mother considering LASIK surgery, you may be wondering if it is safe to have laser eye surgery while nursing. The answer is no. Let’s break down why this is the case.
What Is LASIK?
LASIK stands for “Laser Assisted In-Situ Keratomileusis” and is a type of laser eye surgery used to treat nearsightedness, farsightedness, and astigmatism. The procedure involves reshaping your cornea with a laser in order to change its curvature and improve your vision. It is a very common procedure and we perform this quickly.
Is it safe to undergo LASIK surgery while pregnant or breastfeeding?
We do not advise having LASIK surgery during pregnancy as your body undergoes significant changes, including hormonal fluctuations that can affect your eyes, making the procedure potentially ineffective. Fluid accumulation behind the eyes during pregnancy can also affect the cornea, leading to changes in eye prescription. Additionally, pregnancy-related conditions such as high blood pressure can put you at risk, and medications used in LASIK surgery may not be safe for your developing baby.
We also do not recommend LASIK surgery if you are breastfeeding as your vision prescription can continue to fluctuate during the postpartum period. The same chemicals administered during the procedure can be transferred into your breast milk, and hormonal changes can alter the shape of your cornea – making LASIK unsuitable.
When should you wait to get laser eye surgery?
It is best to have LASIK surgery prior to pregnancy, or at least a year after your baby is born and breastfeeding is finished.
You should consult with your doctor to determine the safest and most appropriate time to undergo LASIK surgery based on your individual circumstances.
Book a free virtual assessment with our team to learn more about the procedure and determine the safest time for you to undergo it. Don’t hesitate to take the first step towards clear, improved vision with us.
Share This Story
Recognized leaders in Harrisburg LASIK eye surgery
CHOOSE THE MOST EXPERIENCED LASIK SPECIALISTS IN CENTRAL PENNSYLVANIA
Dr. Bennett Chotiner
M.D., F.A.C.S.
MEDICAL DIRECTOR, GENERAL OPHTHALMOLOGY, CATARACT & REFRACTIVE SURGERY, LASIK SURGERY
Dr. Bennett Chotiner is the founder and medical director of Memorial Eye Institute. A noted innovator, in 1977 he established his clinical practice, the Pennsylvania Eye Associates. In 1984, he established the Pennsylvania Eye Surgery Center, Pennsylvania’s first …
Dr. Erik A Chotiner
M.D., F.A.C.S.
GENERAL OPHTHALMOLOGY, CATARACT & REFRACTIVE SURGERY, LASIK SURGERY
Erik Chotiner, M.D. diagnoses and treats a wide range of medical eye conditions. He is a Phi Beta Kappa graduate of Franklin and Marshall College. Dr. Chotiner attended Jefferson Medical College in Philadelphia where he received multiple awards including the Physiology Prize for …