Does lasik hurt your kidneys?

If you’re considering LASIK eye surgery, one of your biggest concerns might be whether or not it will affect other parts of your body – namely, your kidneys. Will this common procedure mess with those all-important bean-shaped organs nestled deep within? Are there any studies out there to suggest that lasering off a few corneal cells could have some unforeseen consequences when it comes to renal function? Fear not! We’ve dug deep (and by “we”, we mean our lab assistant who is scared of needles and refused to give blood) for answers that will put even the most anxious renal enthusiasts at ease.

The basics

First thing’s first: let’s talk about what LASIK actually does. In short, LASIK (laser-assisted in situ keratomileusis) is a surgical procedure meant to correct vision problems like nearsightedness, farsightedness or astigmatism using lasers. Basically, this means reshaping the cornea – which is often described as being like a miniature contact lens glued onto the front part of your eyeball – so that light focuses better on the retina located at back of the eye. This can drastically improve an individual’s eyesight and reduce their dependency on glasses or contacts.

But what about my KIDNEYS?!

Woah now, hold up – let’s get back on track here. While messing around with anything involving lasers can seem pretty intense and potentially worrisome for bodily functions elsewhere than just eyesight – including beloved organs such as the kidney – rest easy knowing that research hasn’t shown any direct correlation between undergoing LASIK and negative changes in kidney performance.

A Look At Some Studies Out There…

In fact, a 2018 study published in the Saudi Journal of Ophthalmology found no difference in renal function between a group of participants who had undergone LASIK and control subjects who had not. A 2013 study in the European Journal of Ophthalmology similarly found no changes to kidney health after two years with up to -10 dioptres correction using wavefront guided LASIK.

The consensus is clear: experts aren’t concerned about your kidneys being negatively affected when you go under that magical little laser beam. You might want to be more worried about those clippers they use for pre-surgery grooming though, man do those things get close (but don’t let that deter you from keeping it nice an tidy down there).

What if I have pre-existing issues?

Now, while the science doesn’t suggest any real cause for concern even if everything seems pretty healthy and normal… does anyone feel like their left kidney or right one’s been sweatin’ ever since they booked their appointment?

In some cases, depending on pre-existing risk factors or medical history, patients may experience complications during surgery which could indirectly affect already-damaged organs such as our friends – the kidneys. The most significant factor is blood loss – whether through anaesthetic side-effects or other surgical mishaps- which can lead to decreased oxygen supply going around throughout your body.

Blood Pressure Matters too…

Other considerations include blood pressure medications typically taken by people suffering hypertension whereby post-operative spikes may impact organ function persistently.

If you know you’re in uncharted waters here with weakened kidneys due to lifestyle reasons such as alcohol abuse , smoking , diabetes mellitus type II etc., then perhaps opting out until thing improve could be a better option rather than acting gung-ho towards revamping all parts physically possible via this surgical process.

What else should I consider before undergoing LASIK?

While kidney concerns aren’t typically something to worry about during a standard LASIK procedure, it’s important to remember that any surgery comes with risks – even minor ones like this. So what else should you make sure to keep in mind as you decide whether or not to go under the laser?

Current Medications

If you’re taking certain medications – like acne medication Accutane, for example – your surgeon may advise that you stop using it prior to surgery. That’s because some meds can increase the risk of complications related specifically n the eyes and cause dry eye syndrome.

If there are any other prescriptions that might impact your surgery or post-operative recovery, your doctor will discuss those with You For Example Like Those Which Reduce Clotting Ability Such As Warfarin etc.

Dry Eyes

Dry eye is incredibly common both pre- and post-surgery. In some studies , up to 70% of patients report having issues with dryness after their procedure has been completed. Taking breaks from mobile devices/ screens consistently till healing occurs along oral supplements containing omega-3s at recommended doses as well being conscious while blowing air can help curb these symptoms & ease recovery.. If dryness is persistent then lubricating drops may be prescribed by surgeons which help stimulate tear production naturally.

  • Tip: Follow expert advice and limit use of eyeliners/mascara on eyelids /concealers during early days following Lasik…for pretty much same reasons ;).

To sum it all up…

So if you’re worried about hurting that beloved pumper (your kidneys), rest easy knowing current evidence suggests there’s nothing wrong inherently with getting LASIK when considering kidney health-wise.

Sure, there are things you’ll want take into account before heading into operating theatre but fear of loss quality future life through committing yourself commonly performed refractive ​procedure shouldn’t be one one of them.

Ultimately, we can wholeheartedly suppose (with no evidence to back it up mind you), that for the majority of candidates weighing risks associated with this celebrated surgical innovation vs. life sans spectacles or contacts, boosting one’s overall quality of vision and ability to play sports , outdoor activities etc without always having your glasses fall off at inopportune times has got more dividends than not going through it…assuming there are no other contraindications still exist like advanced diabetic retinopathy or corneal diseases such as keratoconus.

So long story short: No need to give the old bean-shaped buddies any second thoughts here…so onwards and upwards while keeping relevant tips fronting ensure a swift recovery & best possible outcome!

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