Lasik Risks For Imitrex Users
February 10th, 2010
A specialized surgery for problems with vision called LASIK or “Laser-assisted in situ keratomileusis” is ideal for people suffering from conditions such as near-sightedness, far-sightedness or even astigmatism. This type of surgery reshapes the eye’s cornea and can be very risky if the patient is someone who has been taking in Imitrex. Imetrix is a sumatriptan drug that is used to treat migraine headaches by constricting the cerebral arteries. Any vasoconstrictor, such as Imitrex, can impede blood flow to the brain causing more problems if one is to undergo LASIK. Therefore, a thorough medication assessment should be conducted prior to getting a LASIK surgery is a must.
With LASIK, ophthalmologists work with lasers on reshaping the eye’s cornea making the vision clearer. Prior to the surgery, the patient is provided or is prescribed with antibiotics for self-administration. This is important so as to minimize infection risks after the surgery. During the LASIK surgery, the patient is awake and mobile and is instilled with anesthetic eye drops as well as mild sedatives. The LASIK is then performed by first creating a corneal tissue flap, followed with the remodeling of the cornea beneath the flap with the assistance of laser and lastly, the flap is repositioned and closed. Proper blood circulation is necessary for fast recovery after the surgery and with poor circulation to the head due to Imitrex, the client can have poor or prolonged healing period and other possible eye complications. Doctors and the members of the health care team must be very aware of these effects prior to handling clients taking Imitrex so as to prevent creating complications. Also, clients with vision problems must seek to be more informed with regards to LASIK surgery as well as IMITREX prior to undergoing any form of eye surgery.
Imitrex, whose generic name is sumatriptan, is ideal for treating migraine headaches. It is a cerebral vasoconstrictor, which means it narrows the blood vessels in the head. When it constricts the blood vessels of the head, it prevents more blood from going to head or the eye area. With migraine headache, there is a pulsating painful sensation in the head caused by dilatation (widening) of the head’s blood vessels. Although Imitrex is very helpful for relieving migraines, it is not ideal for those who will be undergoing LASIK.
For anyone who is to undergo LASIK and is also a user of Imitrex, it is highly advisable to consult further with your primary health care provider or even with your eye specialists or ophthalmologists for more options. Seek for second or third opinions before having such specialized eye surgery performed on you. A more informed surgical process creates fewer complications and will help promote harmonious rapport between patient and the physician.