Do I have to stop any medication prior to Laser Eye Surgery?

There are a few things that can interfere with Laser Eye Surgery: alcohol, makeup, lint – oh, and prescription medications.

Some medications can cause complications during treatment due to contraindications with the products used before, during, and after surgery.

Don’t worry too much, though. Unlike a dose of Dutch courage, a dash of perfume, or your favourite wool sweater – which should all be completely avoided – as Mr. Glenn Carp explains in the video below, only a few prescription medications make this list.

Nonetheless, this can be trickier than it sounds. As certain drugs can increase the risks associated with Laser Eye Surgery, they may need to be completely out of your system before you undergo treatment. If they are not, they could contribute to complications such as exacerbating dry eye or causing additional corneal oedema.

It is always recommended that you discuss with your GP or ophthalmologist to assess your general health and current and past medications. This places you in the best position once you choose a Laser Eye Surgery clinic and will make it easier to determine your suitability for surgery.

A thorough screening process and consultations are the only way to know for sure whether you are suitable for Laser Eye Surgery. However, you can get an initial idea of your chances of suitability by being aware of the contraindications between treatment and prescription medications.

Below, we will take a look at some of the conditions and medications that may affect your suitability.

General health and autoimmune disease

It is essential that patients undergoing Laser Eye Surgery are in good all-round health. In some cases, autoimmune diseases such as diabetes, collagen vascular disease, rheumatoid arthritis, and lupus may pose a problem, especially if uncontrolled. It is also a possibility that medications taken for the management of such conditions can present an issue.

A history of dry eye

If you are susceptible to dry eye, you may find that you are unsuitable for treatment – but that’s not always the case. Nonetheless, if you’ve had problems with dry eye in the past, for instance when wearing contact lenses or due to specific medications, then it is a good idea to talk to your eye doctor about how this could affect Laser Eye Surgery.

Eye Health

The health of your eyes is also a significant factor to be considered when assessing candidate suitability. For example, if you have suffered any eye-related injuries or a condition such as glaucoma, cataracts, herpes eye infections, corneal disorders, or retinal diseases, you may be ineligible for surgery.

However, every case is different and suitability can be determined on a patient-by-patient basis by an experienced consultant. It is therefore recommended that you arrange a consultation with a laser eye surgeon who is experienced in your area of concern.

Prescription drugs that suppress the immune system, affect vision, or interrupt wound healing

So, let’s get back to prescription medications and their impact on Laser Eye Surgery. Some medications, such as isotretinoin, steroids, and retinoic acid, can interfere with treatment.

Nonetheless – even if you are all too familiar with one of the conditions or medications mentioned on this page – you may not need to rule out Laser Eye Surgery immediately.

Here at London Vision Clinic, our expert surgeons are able to treat 98% of the patients that contact us. The fact is if you speak to a clinic with world-class surgeons and access to the most cutting-edge technology, your chances of being suitable for surgery increase significantly.

If you would like to learn more about your suitability for Laser Eye Surgery, Book a Consultation. Alternatively, give us a call on 020 7224 1005.