LASIK

[1alpha]

Can those of us who HIV+ get Lasik?  Or is there a ban on HIV+ patients?

[Inchlingblue]

That's a good question because I got LASIK about a year before I was diagnosed but I was probably already poz at the time without knowing it.  

As long as the person has a good Tcell count, I see no reason why someone who is poz should not be able to get LASIK. If someone has fewer than 200Tcells and a high viral load it's probably not a good idea to get LASIK, or any other non-vital procedure.

As far as whether or not one should disclose being poz is another matter. As I said, I got it when I was likely already poz but did not know it so obviously I didn't say anything. That probably happens fairly often.

I found an article online titled HIV not contraindication to LASIK, so it sounds fine.

LINKS:

http://www.eyeworld.org/printarticle.php?id=199

http://www.thebody.com/Forums/AIDS/SideEffects/Current/Q189490.html

By the way, LASIK is awesome. When done right that means no glasses or contacts but it has to be perfectly calibrated so that one eye you are nearsighted and the other you are farsighted so when you combine the two it works out nicely.

[confidentIwillbeOK]

Too funny....the doctor quoted in the article in the first link is the one who did my Lasik!

"I don't think being HIV positive is in any way a contraindication to having LASIK," said Helen Wu, M.D., director of refractive surgery, New England Eye Center, New England Medical Center, Boston, and assistant professor of ophthalmology, Tufts University School of Medicine.

This thread reminded me of another recent thread about disclosing your status to healthcare workers.  Seems like in most cases even though it may not seem to matter telling them can only help....

Her approach is to prep HIV patients the same way as her non-HIV patients except for one safeguard. 'I would schedule them at the end of the day so I could scrub down the bed very well to prevent infection," she said. Beyond that, she preps the eye with sterile technique, drapes the patient, and uses an antibiotic after the surgery.

[PozBrian]

I can't imagine why not. LASIK doesn't  generate any blood loss. The cornea doesn't have any blood vessels in it.  When I had it done 10 years ago the Dr gave me a valium so I'd be still and that was it. Assuming that all the tools are sterile each time I can't imagine how there'd be a risk of HIV transmission. I say go for it. It was worth it for me.

[Terry]

Recently I applied to have Lasik eye surgery done, I was turned down when I checked off on the application that I am HIV+…

Maybe I should try again and not check that box off…

[confidentIwillbeOK]

Terry, where was this? What type of "application" are you referring to?  Was there a discussion about the exact reason for the refusal?

[Terry]

Terry, where was this? What type of "application" are you referring to?  Was there a discussion about the exact reason for the refusal?

ConfidentIw, It was online at their website... I live in northern California... It was a simple question form, and I checked off the HIV box… I'm not worried about it… At my age it's a convenience thing more than a vanity thing...

[Inchlingblue]

I came across this recent Q&A on thebody.com

Q: Can I have an opitical surgical operation?

Nov 21, 2009

I have been living with HIV for more than 5 years and began to take medication (Isentress) this year. Now my Viral load is 0 and CD4 is more than 200.I got depreesion because my bad eye sight so I really want to have an opitical laser surgical.Can I have that now?Thanks.

A: Response from Dr. Young

Hello and thanks for your post.

There should be no obvious reason why you couldn't have corrective eye surgery, particularly since you're taking HIV medications. While some had questioned this in the past, healthy persons living with HIV appear not to have increased risk of surgical infections or complications.

Be well, BY

LINK:

http://www.thebody.com/Forums/AIDS/Meds/Current/Q205199.html