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With LASIK at Corvue, there’s no one-size-fits-all approach. Becoming a LASIK candidate is a process, and if you have a medical condition like diabetes, you want to be thoroughly assessed. Only then can you make a truly informed decision about going through with the procedure.
Diabetes is a chronic disease that occurs either when the pancreas does not produce enough insulin or when the body cannot effectively use the insulin it produces. In 2014, 8.5% of adults aged 18 years and older had diabetes.
It used to be the case that doctors wouldn’t recommend LASIK for patients with diabetes. But now with more research and understanding, LASIK is a viable option for some people with diabetes. The important caveat is that the patient has their blood sugar levels under control, and they don’t suffer from severe diabetic retinopathy.
HIGH BLOOD SUGAR AND DIABETIC RETINOPATHY
Diabetic retinopathy occurs when high blood sugar levels affect the small blood vessels in the eye. When blood sugar levels are too high because of diabetes, these blood vessels can break and leak blood, damaging the retina. And if the retina is damaged, vision loss occurs. If not treated, diabetic retinopathy can lead to a gradual loss of vision or permanent blindness.
POTENTIAL RISKS FROM DIABETES & LASIK
High blood sugar, on the other hand, the primary symptom of diabetes, has the effect of extending LASIK recovery time. This is because high blood sugar makes it more difficult for wounds to heal. But if you manage your blood sugar levels, LASIK remains a feasible option, provided you have no other contraindications to LASIK.
An important consideration is a fluctuating prescription. In patients with diabetes, changing blood sugar levels can cause your prescription to fluctuate. And if your prescription fluctuates, it is harder to determine how to best reshape your cornea (which is what LASIK ultimately does). The good news is that you can manage this by keeping your blood sugar levels within normal range, especially in the months leading up to the procedure.
A qualified eye professional can best advise you on addressing any diabetes-related concerns regarding a LASIK procedure. You can book your free consultation here to put your mind at ease and take the first steps toward freedom from glasses and contacts. Best of all, the entire assessment will be with a corneal surgeon who will perform your LASIK surgery if you choose to do so.
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