Can I Have Laser Eye Surgical procedure If I’m HIV Constructive? [VIDEO]

You probably have been contemplating Laser Eye Surgical procedure for some time, you’ll have realized that some circumstances can have an effect on your suitability for therapy. Having realized this, it’s possible you’ll wonder if Laser Eye Surgical procedure is an choice for you. The excellent news is that – because of developments in expertise and experience lately – Laser Eye Surgical procedure is extra accessible than ever earlier than. However what if you’re HIV optimistic? May this have an effect on your suitability? Let’s discover out.

What’s HIV?

Human Immunodeficiency Virus – recognized extra generally by the abbreviation ‘HIV – is a virus that damages cells within the immune system and weakens your physique’s capability to battle infections and illness.

HIV can progress to acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) – quite a lot of life-threatening infections and sicknesses that happen when the immune system has been severely broken by the HIV virus. In contrast to HIV, AIDS can’t be transmitted from one particular person to a different.

There may be at the moment no remedy for HIV; nevertheless, there at the moment are very efficient medication that stop the event of any AIDS-related sicknesses. Because of this, with an early analysis and therapy, most people who find themselves HIV optimistic are in a position to get pleasure from an extended and wholesome life.

How Does HIV Have an effect on the Eyes?

Many individuals with HIV expertise associated issues with their eyes. Actually, it’s estimated that round 70% of individuals with HIV have a watch drawback. In some circumstances, eye issues may be an early signal of an infection with the virus and, if left untreated, some can result in severe imaginative and prescient impairment and even blindness. Nevertheless, with well timed therapy, such circumstances are uncommon.

The commonest eye drawback skilled by folks with HIV is HIV retinopathy (often known as HIV microvasulopathy). This happens when blood vessels within the retina behind the attention turn out to be blocked or start to bleed, inflicting injury. In accordance with a latest research, round 40-60% of HIV-positive sufferers are affected by HIV retinopathy.

Sufferers who’re HIV-positive are additionally at a better danger of opportunistic eye illnesses – particularly when the virus has progressed to AIDS. These can embody:

• Cytomegalovirus (CMV) retinitis
• Kaposi’s sarcoma
• Herpes zoster ophthalmicus (HZO)

Different eye-related signs that could be extra widespread amongst HIV-positive sufferers might embody retinal detachment and dry eyes.

Laser Eye Surgical procedure and HIV

The event of efficient therapy choices signifies that most sufferers who’re HIV-positive are in a position to stay an extended and wholesome life. As such, HIV isn’t essentially a contraindication for Laser Eye Surgical procedure. As our professional Laser Eye Surgeon explains within the video under, we deal with all of our sufferers the identical in figuring out their suitability for therapy.

Your suitability will likely be decided primarily based on a variety of things, all of which will likely be assessed throughout a complete screening appointment. Throughout this course of, the physician will think about your eye well being, the extent of your prescription, and your well being general earlier than making a closing choice.

Following surgical procedure, HIV-positive sufferers are given a really broad spectrum of antibiotics to assist stop an infection after the therapy.

To sum up, there isn’t a distinction made between sufferers with HIV and people with out. Subsequently, so long as you meet the usual necessities for surgical procedure, it’s doubtless you’ll nonetheless be appropriate for Laser Eye Surgical procedure.

You probably have any additional questions on your suitability for Laser Eye Surgical procedure, get in contact with one in all our pleasant clinic coordinators. Alternatively, in case you’re able to go forward, Guide a Session at the moment.