Risk of poor outcomes “A person with an autoimmune disorder who undergoes LASIK is at risk of corneal thinning, corneal melting, corneal ulcers and irregular healing, as well as scleritis, episcleritis, keratitis and eye inflammation, said Dr. In the past, surgeons avoided performing LASIK on people with an autoimmune condition for good reason. In certain cases, such as in some patients with rheumatoid arthritis, those who underwent LASIK experienced corneal melting. This corneal injury can cause permanent corneal damage and affect vision.
Certain medical conditions can affect how the body heals after surgery. Patients with autoimmune diseases are not good candidates for Lasik surgery. Many autoimmune conditions cause dry eye syndrome. A dry eye may not heal well and has a higher risk of infection after LASIK surgery.
Other conditions, such as diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, glaucoma, or cataracts, often affect Lasik results. You should not have had eye infections or injuries in the past year before undergoing LASIK surgery. Infections and injuries can leave scars on the cornea that can have harmful effects. In some cases, LASIK surgery may not be able to be performed due to eye disease or another procedure.
If this happens, you may be a better candidate for a procedure such as PRK. If Crohn's disease worsens on the day of surgery or during the recovery period from laser eye surgery, it can have a very negative impact on the healing process. Medications given for dilation and after Lasik surgery may be absorbed through the mucous membranes, potentially harming the fetus.
