While LASIK eye surgery has been the most effective solution for vision problems and an ideal treatment for a wide range of people, those with diabetes have to be evaluated by the eye surgeon to make sure LASIK is safe for them. LASIK can be a positive, safe option for patients with diabetes whose blood sugar is well-controlled and who don’t suffer from severe diabetic retinopathy.
Is LASIK safe for patients with diabetes?
LASIK is safely performed thousands of times a day in the United States. Most patients recover in only a couple of days. Each patient needs to be evaluated on individual basis to make sure their diabetes is under control and they can safely proceed with LASIK.
LASIK and diabetic retinopathy
Diabetic retinopathy is caused by high blood sugar levels that compromise the small blood vessels in the eye. The body makes new blood vessels, but these are fragile and bleed easily. The bleeding can obscure the retina, and if the case is serious enough, it may result in blindness.
The LASIK procedure reshapes the cornea and does not address the retina. If your vision problems are not caused by diabetic retinopathy, LASIK can be a safe solution to potentially resolve your vision problems.
LASIK and high blood sugar
High blood sugar, the basic symptom of diabetes, can prolong healing. This extends the recovery time after LASIK. Many surgeons hesitate to operate on patients with high blood sugar. Some LASIK candidates can have Intralase, a bladeless form of LASIK that requires a shorter recovery time than traditional LASIK surgery.
However, for diabetic patients who have managed their blood sugar levels well, traditional LASIK surgery may be possible.
LASIK and fluctuating prescriptions
Changes in blood sugar levels can cause eye prescriptions to fluctuate. Because LASIK alters the shape of the cornea to correct the vision, it can be difficult to confidently determine how to best reshape the cornea if the prescription is fluctuating. If you keep your blood sugar within a normal range in the months before your LASIK procedure, this problem can generally be resolved.
What is the takeaway?
With modern advances in medicine, most patients who have well-managed diabetes can consider LASIK a safe, ideal option for correcting eyesight, including nearsightedness, farsightedness, and astigmatism. The best way to determine with LASIK is a safe, effective procedure for you is with a consultation at The Pacific Vision Institute. Call today to schedule your consultation and find out more about LASIK.