Acne Medicine and Lasik

Interaction with conventional and wavefront Lasik, All-Laser Lasik, PRK, LASEK, Epi-Lasik, CK, P-IOL, RLE, etc..

Some acne meds may be a problem for Lasik laser eye surgery.

Acne itself is not a contraindication for refractive surgery, but there can be additional considerations for for conventional or custom wavefront Lasik, All-Laser Lasik, PRK, LASEK, and Epi-Lasik.

Acne Medication Concerns

Isotretinoin, known as Accutane, is a topical medication commonly prescribed for acne. The active ingredients in Accutane for acne can cause dry eye. Accutane used for acne is a contraindication for conventional or custom wavefront Lasik, All-Laser Lasik, PRK, LASEK, and Epi-Lasik. Accutane should not be used for an at least six months before surgery and six months after surgery.

Accutane for acne may not be a contraindication for CK, P-IOL, or RLE, however be sure to let your doctor know if you are using any medication with isotretinoin.

If you are ready to choose a doctor to be evaluated for conventional or custom wavefront Lasik, All-Laser Lasik, PRK, LASEK, Epi-Lasik, NearVision CK, RLE, or any refractive surgery procedure, we highly recommend you consider a doctor who has been evaluated and certified by the USAEyes nonprofit organization. Locate a USAEyes Evaluated & Certified Lasik Laser Eye Surgeon.

Current Acne and Lasik Medical Journal News...

Isotretinoin use in a case of chronic granulomatous disease.

Isotretinoin use in a case of chronic granulomatous disease.

Pediatr Dermatol. 2009 Nov;26(6):756-8

Authors: Spillane AP, Hivnor CM

Chronic granulomatous disease (CGD) is a rare, inherited disorder, in which phagocytic cells, through an enzyme defect, are unable to produce microbicidal oxidants; affected individuals are thereby unduly susceptible to certain life-threatening bacterial and fungal infections and require lifelong antibiotic and antifungal prophylaxis. We present the case of an adolescent CGD patient whose recalcitrant acne vulgaris and subsequent recurrent facial abscesses were successfully treated with isotretinoin; swift resolution of this and similar patients' acne lesions is paramount, as these lesions may serve as a portal of entry for systemic infections and may pose a significant risk for scarring. Isotretinoin is associated with an increased rate of cutaneous Staphylococcus aureus carriage as well as exuberant granulation responses, both of theoretical concern in CGD patients. The therapeutic outcome of isotretinoin in treatment-resistant cases of acne in CGD patients has not been reported in the literature; we present this case to advocate an underreported use of isotretinoin in the prevention of acne, its subsequent cyst formation, and scarring patients with CGD.

PMID: 20199463 [PubMed - in process]