Why Can’t I Get Laser Eye Surgery While Breastfeeding?
Why Can't I Get Laser Eye Surgery While Breastfeeding?
If you're currently breastfeeding and considering laser eye surgery, you may have been advised to wait. While this can feel frustrating, it's a temporary precaution taken to ensure the safest and most predictable outcome for your vision.
Breastfeeding affects your body in several ways, including your eyes, and timing your surgery correctly helps ensure the best possible results.
Hormonal Changes Can Affect Your Vision
During pregnancy and breastfeeding, hormone levels, particularly oestrogen and progesterone — fluctuate significantly. These hormonal shifts can temporarily affect:
- Corneal shape
- Tear production
- Vision stability
This means your prescription may not be fully stable during this time. Since laser eye surgery permanently reshapes the cornea based on your current prescription, it's important that measurements reflect your long-term, stable vision, not temporary hormonal changes.
Dry Eye Is More Common During Breastfeeding
Hormonal fluctuations can also reduce tear production, making dry eye symptoms more likely.
Laser eye surgery can temporarily worsen dryness during healing, so performing the procedure when your tear film is already compromised may increase discomfort and slow recovery.
Waiting until your hormones have stabilised helps ensure better healing and long-term comfort
Your eyes need to be stable for the best results
Laser eye surgery is designed to provide long-lasting vision correction. For the most accurate and predictable outcome, your prescription should be stable.
Breastfeeding-related hormonal changes can cause temporary fluctuations, which may affect the final result if surgery is performed too early.
Waiting ensures your treatment is based on your true, stable prescription.
When can I safely have laser eye surgery?
Most patients can be assessed once:
- Breastfeeding has stopped
- Hormone levels have returned to normal
- Vision has stabilised
This timeline varies from person to person, but your optometrist and surgeon will guide you on when the timing is right.
The Good News: This Is Temporary
Being advised to wait doesn't mean you won't be eligible, it simply means the timing isn't ideal yet.
Many patients successfully undergo LASIK,PRK, or SMILE after breastfeeding, once their eyes and hormones have stabilised.
Do you wantto take the first step?
👉 Take our free laser eye surgery self-test
It's quick, easy, and helps you understand the next steps.
Find out if you are suitable for laser eye surgery
Not everyone is eligible for vision correction surgery.
Find out if you could benefit from this life changing surgery by taking the quick self-suitability quiz below:
Our most popular procedures
What our patients say…
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
“The best care, the best treatment and the best doctors.”
M.A.★ ★ ★ ★ ★
“Everything was done with care and the doctor explained everything in detail. My surgery was a success and my sight has significantly improved – I no longer use glasses.”
N.N.★ ★ ★ ★ ★
“All I can say is WOW! I feel like I have new eyes.
Thank you just doesn’t even began to say how grateful I am. Your hole team is an absolute pleasure to be around. You guys rock”
S.B.★ ★ ★ ★ ★
“The service is excellent and the doctors are experts in their fields. I felt relaxed and confident that I was in great hands. Staff are warm, friendly and very helpful.”
F.W.★ ★ ★ ★ ★
“I would refer Dr Beatty to anyone interested in LASIK or PRK eye surgery. The entire experience was really pleasant with his and his staff’s professional advice and care before, during and after the surgery.
I am very thankful to be able to look at the world and go about my day to day activities without the hassle of glasses or contact lenses.”
P.M.★ ★ ★ ★ ★
“Best money spent ever. I am so happy with the results after I had LASIK done.”
M.A.★ ★ ★ ★ ★
“BEST decision and results after I had my LASIK done by Doctor Beatty!”
A.A.★ ★ ★ ★ ★
“I will definitely recommend Dr Beatty. I am so happy with my LASIK.”
R.B.★ ★ ★ ★ ★
“Dr Daemon McClunan and the entire staff at Atlantic Eye Centre, Foreshore are beyond AMAZING. The medical care I received from Dr McClunan was outstanding and the staff was always friendly and professional.”
M.M.We have replaced the images of real patients who provided these testimonials to protect their privacy.
Hi, I’m Daemon McClunan
I’m proud to be the founder of both the Atlantic Eye Centre, a leading eye specialist centre; and LIQID Medical Pty, an award-winning biotech company. My passion for research and innovation has led me to create four patented devices, and earn various prestigious awards during my specialist training.
With a medical degree from Stellenbosch University, a specialist degree from the University of Cape Town, and experience working in renowned Laser Eye Surgery centres in Canada, Germany, India and London, I’m dedicated to providing top-tier care.
Beyond the clinic, I’ve embarked on humanitarian missions, travelling over 15,000km by motorbike to provide rural eye screenings. In my downtime, I love mountain biking, diving, and spending quality time with my family.
My goal is to provide a world-class service which ensures every patient leaves my practice feeling happier than when they first walked in.
Dr Daemon McClunan
MBChB(SU), DipOphth(SA), MMed(UCT), FcOphth(SA)
Hi, I’m James Beatty
I pride myself on providing exceptional eye care with state-of-the-art equipment and a team dedicated to excellence. With a focus on refractive surgery, I bring years of experience and expertise to each patient’s journey towards clearer vision.
As an active member of esteemed Ophthalmologist societies including the Ophthalmological Society of South Africa and the South African Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery, I stay abreast of the latest advancements in the field.
Additionally, my affiliation with the Health Professions Council of South Africa and the South African Glaucoma Society underscores my commitment to upholding the highest standards of care.
With a passion for laser surgery, I strive to deliver optimal outcomes for every patient.
Dr James Beatty
MB ChB (UCT) FCS (SA) Ophth MMed (Stel) Ophth
