Can You Get LASIK While Pregnant?

Wow! New babies and new vision, two life-changing events in the same blog post—very exciting! The answer to the question, however, is that the only safe place for LASIK and pregnancy to co-exist is in a discussion about the two…like this one!

We get it—when you’re juggling doctor visits, cravings, and baby prep, dealing with glasses and contact lenses might seem like an unnecessary hassle. For many people, LASIK is an obvious (not to mention safe, effective, and long-lasting) way to reduce or eliminate these hassles. But while you’re pregnant, it’s simply not a good idea.

LASIK is a lifetime decision. It’s best to have the procedure when all considerations are as ideal as possible. The LASIK specialists at 20/20 Institute are firmly committed to a conservative approach, and, put simply, are not cavalier about any aspect of LASIK candidacy, including when the best timing for LASIK would be.

To learn if you’re a good candidate for LASIK eye surgery in Denver, Colorado Springs, or a nearby area of Colorado, call 20/20 Institute at 303-202-0669 to schedule a complimentary LASIK evaluation at one of our four convenient locations.

Why LASIK Is NOT Recommended During Pregnancy

There are several reasons the doctors and staff at 20/20 Institute recommend waiting until you’re no longer pregnant to undergo LASIK. These include:

Vision Fluctuations

Your changing hormones can cause momentary shifts in your vision. If we perform Custom LASIK during this time, there is a chance your procedure might not match your true, long-term prescription.

Most women don’t experience changes in their vision during pregnancy, but a small percentage do. Unfortunately, there is no test to determine whether a woman will experience changes in her vision before she becomes pregnant.

At 20/20 Institute, we’re thrilled that 99.67% of our LASIK patients have achieved 20/20 vision or better with Custom LASIK. That said, it’s important to remember that pregnancy can temporarily alter your prescription. Hormone-driven fluctuations in corneal shape might affect your final result if you have LASIK too soon.

Eye Dryness

Eye dryness is already a common symptom during pregnancy. Because proper lubrication is an essential part of healing, we’d rather wait until dryness levels are closer to normal to help set you up for the best possible results.

Dry eyes are also a common side effect of LASIK. This tends to self-correct within a few months, but increased dryness and irritation are possible after the procedure. Our doctors will provide you with lubricating eyedrops to help with this issue. It is very uncommon for dry eyes to remain an issue for more than a year.

Safety First

Even though LASIK involves only local anesthetic, we prioritize keeping both you and your baby safe. Waiting until hormones stabilize and breastfeeding is complete helps guard against unnecessary complications.

Many patients ask us, or themselves, how the LASIK procedure could affect the unborn baby simply because the womb is so far away from the eye. The reality is that the procedure itself is not the concern, but rather the medicine used by the patient.

All LASIK patients will have some medicines involved in their LASIK care, and one of them, a mild sedative for anxiety offered for the procedure itself, is optional (although, understandably, most patients do choose to accept the medicine to help relax for the procedure itself). Other medicines, however, are not considered optional.

The medicines that are prescribed for a patient as part of their LASIK care are naturally absorbed by the body and can pass to the unborn baby. If you’re nursing a newborn, the very same considerations exist. Clearly, whenever possible, it’s best to avoid the transfer of anything potentially harmful to the baby.

LASIK is elective because non-surgical options exist to correct a person’s blurry vision. These other options obviously have their downsides, of course, as getting rid of the hassles and constraints that go along with a frame on the face or lens in the eye are the reasons that patients choose to have LASIK. That said, again, LASIK is a lifetime decision, so it’s best to have LASIK when the conditions are ideal.

For Good Candidates, LASIK IS Safe After Pregnancy

Let’s face it: Kids bring a ton of gear. Juggling prescription glasses (and backups, in case you misplace a pair) or dealing with contact lenses just adds to the mess. Many parents dream of simplifying. However, everyone’s timeline looks a bit different—much like every baby’s bedtime routine—and we recommend waiting until your vision prescription and hormones have stabilized. This may mean a few months after you’ve finished breastfeeding, but each person’s choice and situation will vary.

At 20/20 Institute, we use very conservative candidacy criteria to determine eligibility for LASIK. The best way to find out if you’re a good candidate is through an evaluation performed by one of our experienced LASIK doctors. But there are a few things to consider before contacting us to schedule a consultation:

• Your Postpartum Recovery. Parenting a newborn can feel like one long day (but with naps!), which doesn’t leave a lot of time for other things. It’s best to have LASIK once you’re back to a routine that doesn’t include waking up every two hours.
• Your Doctor’s Recommendations. Throughout your postpartum phase, make sure you’re staying up to date on your checkups. Let your OB-GYN know you’re considering LASIK so they can also help guide you on timing and any additional health considerations.

We utilize advanced diagnostic tools, going above and beyond standard screenings, to ensure LASIK is the right fit. If it’s not, there’s no need to worry. You can still find increased freedom from glasses and contacts through LASIK alternatives. Much like LASIK, however, these will need to be postponed until after your pregnancy.

We’ll Be Here When You’re Ready

At 20/20 Institute, we believe your vision journey should fit your life’s big moments—and pregnancy is definitely one of those. When you’re ready, we’re here to offer advice and support and to help you determine when it’s best to have your procedure performed.

You can rely on us for:

An Extraordinary Patient Experience

We’re proud of our patient-centered philosophy, which focuses on building genuine connections with every person who walks through our doors. Our goal is to create a welcoming environment, where honest communication and personalized care are front and center. We’ll listen to your questions and concerns, walk you through the Custom LASIK process, and tailor our approach to your specific needs. Local and independent, we’re all about ensuring you feel confident, comfortable, and ready to take the next steps.

Advanced LASIK Eye Surgery Technology

When you’re ready to move forward, know that we invest in advanced LASIK technology, allowing us to customize every procedure. We utilize Wavefront Optimized® technology to provide all-laser, blade-free Custom LASIK with remarkable precision.

Colorado’s Best Price for LASIK…Guaranteed

We also understand that cost is often a big factor in choosing LASIK—especially for new parents. We offer Colorado’s Best Price Guarantee for Custom LASIK procedures. If you’re offered a lower price from another practice for the same procedure (bladeless, Wavefront Optimized®, Custom LASIK), we will offer like services for your follow-up care and future LASIK refinements, and match that provider’s price.

Contact Us Today to Learn More

If you’re rocking a baby bump (congrats!) and dreaming of a life without fumbling for your glasses in the middle of the night, you’re not alone. Hold on to that dream and, as soon as you’re ready, 20/20 Institute will be here to help.

If you’re no longer pregnant and would like to explore your vision correction options, contact us online or call us at 303-202-0669 to schedule your complimentary LASIK evaluation. We can’t wait to help you plan the next step in your journey towards increased visual freedom.

20/20 Institute is owned and operated by local eye doctors and surgeons who are personally committed to the health, happiness, and long-term visual stability of our patients. We have offices in Westminster, LoDo, The DTC, and Colorado Springs. We welcome patients from all corners of the state.