Can I Have Laser Eye Surgery If I Have Iritis?
Suppose you’ve been considering having Laser Eye Surgery to correct your prescription. In that case, you may well have wondered if there are any conditions or factors that could make you unsuitable for treatment.
Well, the fact is, while Laser Eye Surgery has become increasingly accessible in recent years, there are some circumstances in which the procedure may not be the right choice for you. In this article, we’ll be taking a closer look at iritis and whether it could make you unsuitable for Laser Eye Surgery.
What is Iritis?
Before we get into Laser Eye Surgery suitability, let’s start with the basics: What is Iritis?
The term “iritis” refers to inflammation of the iris – that is, the coloured part of the eye surrounding the pupil. This inflammation also affects the front part of the eye between the cornea and the iris – what’s known as the anterior chamber.
Iritis is a type of uveitis (inflammation of the uvea). The “uvea” refers to the iris, the ciliary body, and the choroid. The condition can lead to serious problems including severe vision loss and even blindness. In fact, uveitis is a leading cause of blindness that can affect children and adults of all ages.
Iritis can be caused by a number of different things, including:
- Eye injury
- Infection from bacteria, viruses, parasites, or fungi
- Inflammatory autoimmune diseases, such as lupus and sarcoidosis
- Reactions to medications
- Other health problems, such as leukaemia and Kawasaki syndrome
However, in the majority of cases, the exact cause is unknown. You may develop iritis on just one occasion, however, some people will have repeated cases – this is more common in people with an underlying inflammatory disease.
Iritis is diagnosed by your eye doctor with a health history check and a full physical eye exam. In some cases, you may need more tests, such as blood tests and X-rays, to determine the cause of the iritis.
Symptoms of iritis may include:
- Reduced vision
- Eye pain
- Headache
- Abnormally shaped pupils
- Light sensitivity
- Redness
- Tearing
- Vision loss
The treatment for iritis may depend on the cause. For example, if the inflammation is caused by a bacterial eye infection, you will be given a course of antibiotics. You may also be given steroid medication to treat inflammation and eye drops to dilate your pupils; this can help to prevent some complications.
Laser Eye Surgery and Iritis
Unfortunately, it is not advisable to have Laser Eye Surgery if you are currently experiencing or recovering from iritis (or any form of uveitis). Furthermore, Laser Eye Surgery will likely only be considered if there has not been a recurrence of inflammation in the 12 months preceding your treatment.
Laser Eye Surgery is a surgical procedure that can cause inflammation in the eye as it heals. Therefore, patients with a history of iritis may be prescribed anti-inflammatory medicine in conjunction with routine medications around the time of their treatment.
The bottom line is, suitability for Laser Eye Surgery can only be accurately determined with a get in touch with one of our friendly clinic coordinators today. Alternatively, Book a Consultation to start your journey to clear, glasses-free vision.