Can you get laser eye surgery when pregnant​?

If you’re pregnant and thinking about laser eye surgery, you’re not alone. Many people who wear glasses or contact lenses start wondering if they can fix their vision before their baby arrives.

But can you get laser eye surgery when pregnant? The short answer is no, it’s best to wait.

Laser eye surgery is a safe and common procedure for many people, but during pregnancy, your eyes and body go through big changes. These changes can affect how your vision and your eyes heal.

Let’s look at why it’s best to wait, and what you can do in the meantime.

Why pregnancy affects your eyes

During pregnancy, your hormones change a lot. These changes can affect many parts of your body, including your eyes. You might notice:

• Blurry vision
• Dry or watery eyes
• More light sensitivity
• Puffy eyelids or changes in eye shape

These changes are normal and usually go away a few months after giving birth or finishing breastfeeding. But they can make your glasses prescription less stable, which is important to know before any eye surgery.

Why it’s best to wait until after pregnancy

Laser eye surgery works best when your eyes are stable and healthy. During pregnancy, your body is constantly changing, and that can affect both your vision and your healing process.¹https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36670012/

Here are the main reasons eye doctors recommend waiting:

1. Vision changes are temporary

Pregnancy hormones can change how your cornea (the clear front part of your eye) bends light² https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36670012/ . This can make your glasses prescription different for a few months.

If you have laser eye surgery while your vision is still changing, your results might not last. You could still need glasses again once your eyes return to normal.

2. Dry eyes are more common

Many pregnant people develop dry eyes. Laser surgery can temporarily make eyes even drier while healing. Having surgery when your eyes are already dry could cause more discomfort.

3. Medication safety

Before, during, and after laser eye surgery, eye drops are used to help your eyes heal and stay comfortable. Some of these drops aren’t recommended during pregnancy or breastfeeding because they could enter your bloodstream in small amounts.

Waiting until it’s safe ensures your health and your baby’s safety.

4. Healing may be slower

Pregnancy can slightly affect how your body heals wounds. Since the cornea needs to heal after laser eye surgery, waiting helps make sure your body can recover normally.

When is it safe to have laser eye surgery after pregnancy?

It’s best to wait until:

• You have finished breastfeeding, and
• Your vision has been stable for at least 3–6 months

Your eye doctor will check your prescription and corneal health before recommending surgery. For many people, this is around 6–12 months after giving birth.

Every person’s body is different, so your doctor will tailor their advice to your specific situation.

What about before getting pregnant?

If you’re planning to have children soon and are thinking about laser eye surgery, it’s a good idea to do it before pregnancy.

This allows your eyes to heal completely and stabilise before hormonal changes begin.

However, you should avoid trying to get pregnant for at least 3 months after surgery, to make sure your eyes are fully healed. Your doctor will give you a timeline based on your recovery.

How to care for your eyes during pregnancy

Even though you should wait for surgery, there are plenty of ways to keep your eyes healthy and comfortable during pregnancy:

1. Use lubricating drops (artificial tears) to ease dryness — make sure they are preservative-free and approved for pregnancy.
2. Wear sunglasses outdoors to reduce light sensitivity.
3. Take breaks from screens to prevent eye strain.
4. Eat healthy foods rich in omega-3s, vitamin A, and leafy greens for eye health.
5. Keep your glasses or contact lenses up to date if your vision changes.

If you have sudden or severe vision changes, like flashing lights, swelling, or pain, see your eye doctor or GP right away, as these can sometimes be signs of pregnancy-related health issues such as high blood pressure.

What to expect once you’re ready for surgery

When you’re no longer pregnant or breastfeeding, your eyes will be rechecked to make sure they’re healthy and stable.

At Blink Vision Clinic in Canberra, your pre-surgery steps may include:

• A comprehensive eye exam to assess corneal health and thickness
• A vision stability check (making sure your prescription hasn’t changed recently)
• A review of your tear quality and eye surface health
• A chat about your lifestyle and visual goals

Once everything looks good, your eye doctor can help you choose the best laser procedure for you.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Can I have laser eye surgery while breastfeeding?³https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6692418/
   It’s best to wait until you finish breastfeeding, as hormone levels and tear production can still affect your eyes.
2. Will pregnancy affect my past laser eye surgery results?
   If you’ve had surgery before and your eyes have fully healed, pregnancy shouldn’t undo the results — though temporary changes in vision can still happen.
3. Can I wear contact lenses during pregnancy?
   Yes, but if your eyes feel dry or uncomfortable, switch to glasses for a while. Your optometrist can advise what’s best.
4. When should I book a suitability test?
   You can take a suitability self-test anytime to learn if you might be a good candidate once your eyes are ready.

How Blink Vision Clinic in Canberra can help

At Blink Vision Clinic, we care about your long-term vision and health. Our experienced team will help you understand when it’s safest to have laser eye surgery, and how to prepare your eyes in the meantime.

We’ll never promise perfect results, but we’ll give you honest, expert advice and a clear plan that puts your wellbeing first.

Ready to see if you’re suitable?

Thinking about laser eye surgery for the future? Take our quick suitability self-test to learn more about your options.

It only takes a few minutes and helps you find out if you might be a good candidate when the time is right.