Can You Get Lasik With Hashimoto’s Disease?

Can You Get LASIK With Hashimoto’s Disease?

The short answer is: Yes, you can get LASIK with Hashimoto’s disease, but certain factors need to be considered to ensure a safe and successful procedure. Let’s dive into how Hashimoto’s could impact your LASIK experience and what you should know before going ahead with the surgery.

How Hashimoto’s Disease Affects LASIK Surgery

Hashimoto’s disease is an autoimmune condition that primarily affects the thyroid, often leading to hypothyroidism. While Hashimoto’s itself doesn’t directly interfere with LASIK surgery, its potential side effects and medications can influence your surgery’s success.

Thyroid Levels and LASIK

The key factor when considering LASIK with Hashimoto’s is ensuring your thyroid hormone levels are well-controlled. Poorly managed hypothyroidism can lead to symptoms like fatigue, dry eyes, and slowed healing, all of which can impact the LASIK process. Before proceeding with surgery, you should work with your doctor to stabilize your thyroid levels.

Impact of Medications

Many people with Hashimoto’s disease take medications like levothyroxine to replace the thyroid hormone. These medications do not interfere directly with LASIK, but if you’re using additional treatments to manage the autoimmune response, such as immunosuppressants or steroids, these may slow your recovery and increase the risk of infection. Discuss any medications you’re taking with your surgeon well in advance of the procedure.

Autoimmune Effects

As Hashimoto’s is an autoimmune condition, it can affect your body’s ability to heal properly. Healing after LASIK involves your immune system responding to the changes made to the cornea. If your immune system is compromised due to ongoing inflammation, it might slow recovery or cause complications like dry eyes, which is a common concern for Hashimoto’s patients.

Preparing for LASIK Surgery with Hashimoto’s Disease

Proper preparation is key to ensuring the success of LASIK for patients with Hashimoto’s disease. Here’s how to get ready:

• Stabilizing Thyroid Function: Ensure thyroid levels are under control before surgery. If levels are unstable, this could affect your energy, eye health, and healing.
• Medication Review: Make a list of all medications and discuss them with your surgeon. Some medications may need to be adjusted or temporarily stopped before surgery.
• Eye Health: Hashimoto’s patients may have dry eyes. If this is the case, your surgeon may recommend treatments before surgery to improve moisture production.

Key Considerations for Hashimoto’s Patients During LASIK

While Hashimoto’s disease doesn’t directly prevent LASIK, there are several factors that could influence the procedure:

• Mobility Concerns: Hashimoto’s disease can cause joint pain, stiffness, and fatigue, which may make it harder for patients to lie still during surgery.
• Healing Time: Autoimmune factors may slow the healing process, requiring more frequent follow-up appointments.
• Increased Stress Levels: Chronic pain and discomfort can cause stress, which could affect your LASIK experience. Managing stress before and during the surgery is essential.

Managing Pain and Stress During LASIK

Managing the pain and stress associated with Hashimoto’s is critical to a successful LASIK procedure. Here are some strategies to help you stay calm:

• Pre-surgery Pain Management: Discuss adjusting pain medications, especially NSAIDs, as they can affect blood clotting and healing.
• Sedation Options: If you have difficulty staying still due to pain or anxiety, ask about light sedation.
• Physical Therapy: Prior to surgery, physical therapy or stretching routines can help ease stiffness and improve mobility.

Post-Surgery Care for Hashimoto’s Patients

After LASIK, it’s important to follow post-op care instructions to ensure proper healing. Hashimoto’s patients should focus on the following:

• Monitor Eye Health: Dry eye is a common issue. Follow your surgeon’s recommendations for lubricating eye drops and follow-up appointments.
• Avoid Certain Medications: Avoid NSAIDs unless approved by your doctor. Continue taking thyroid medication as prescribed.
• Maintain Thyroid Health: Keep thyroid levels in the optimal range. Unstable levels can affect healing.