What you should know about PRK surgery while pregnant

If you're pregnant and thinking about PRK (Photorefractive Keratectomy), you're not alone. Many people who wear glasses or contact lenses wonder if laser eye surgery is safe during pregnancy. Here's what you need to know.

Is PRK safe during pregnancy?

It’s generally not recommended to have PRK surgery while pregnant¹ https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36670012/. That’s because pregnancy brings hormonal changes that can affect the shape and thickness of your cornea. These changes may cause your vision to fluctuate, making it hard to get an accurate laser correction.

Risks of PRK surgery during pregnancy

There’s no strong evidence showing PRK harms your baby² https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36670012/. But your eye measurements might change during pregnancy and again while breastfeeding. That means your surgical result may not be stable, and your vision could regress. In short, the results may not last.

Also, the medications used before and after surgery (like eye drops and pain relief) may not be suitable during pregnancy. For safety reasons, it’s best to avoid elective eye surgery until after you’ve given birth and finished breastfeeding.

How pregnancy affects your eyes

Pregnancy hormones can:

• Cause dry eyes
• Change your corneal shape
• Alter your glasses prescription temporarily

These changes usually settle after childbirth, but they can affect the success of PRK if done too soon.

Should You Wait Until After Pregnancy?

Yes. For the best and most lasting result, wait until your hormones have stabilised. Most specialists recommend waiting a few months after breastfeeding ends before going ahead with PRK.

What if you had PRK and didn't know you were pregnant?

If you had PRK before knowing you were pregnant, try not to worry. Speak with your surgeon. Most cases do not result in complications, but it's important to monitor your vision throughout pregnancy.

PRK vs LASIK during pregnancy

Neither PRK nor LASIK is recommended during pregnancy. While PRK avoids cutting a flap in the cornea (which LASIK does), both surgeries depend on stable eye measurements and post-op medications, which can be impacted by pregnancy.

Planning for PRK

If you're considering PRK in the future, you can plan ahead:

• Book a consultation before trying to conceive
• Postpone the procedure until after pregnancy and breastfeeding
• Monitor your eye health with regular check-ups

At VSON, we prioritise your health and your vision. Our team is here to answer your questions and help you choose the right time for treatment.

Take the first step and find out if you’re suitable for PRK when the time is right.

Take the PRK Suitability Self-Test