Laser eye surgery

[Mollieharry]

If you have ra,can you get laser eye surgery?before I was diagnosed I thought I remember reading something that because of the inflammation it wasn’t recommended.

[Maggsie]

I have had laser surgery for cataracts caused by steroids so I guess, corrective laser surgery will be OK but check with your rheumy. You may need to stop meds before and after surgery for a few weeks

[Fruitandnutcase]

I would say that you should speak to an independent optician or eye surgeon before doing anything. As Maggie says lasers are used to break up the lens in cataract surgery but I don’t think that is the same as lasering away the surface of your eye for cosmetic reasons, just to save you wear8ng glasses.

[Retired16]

I was diagnosed RA in 1998 and has lasik surgery in 2004. Don’t remember if I asked rheumatologist but sure I included it on medical history. I wore glasses for distance so just had one eye done. I wear glasses for reading now. All went well!!

[mistymeana]

I had laser eye surgery without problems a few years ago. I found the mainstream high street opticians weren't willing/able to perform the surgery so I ended up going to Harley Street in London. They wrote to a consultant rheumatologist at one of the London hospitals to get his recommendation and were extremely thorough. It did cost more but they offered to let me spread the cost over a couple of years and the standard of care was excellent. What I found was that the price most high street opticians quoted was for the simplest, oldest treatment options and the real cost was quite a lot more so, although mine was more expensive, it wasn't that far out. I'd say talk to them and see what they say. Good luck xx

[Mollieharry]

Thanks everyone for your feed back.will wait to my ra is a bit more settled and look into it.x

[annie64]

I’ve had laser eye surgery but I had to jump through a few hoops - I needed my RA to be relatively inactive/remission and see a ophthalmic consultant too. I had mine done at The London Vision clinic and am very pleased I did it.