The use of cannabinoids (related terms: cannabis, marijuana,
marihuana, hashish, hashich, haschich, cannabinoids, tetrahydrocannabinol,
THC, dronabinol, nabilone, levonantradol) when receiving refractive
surgery like conventional or custom
wavefront
Lasik,
All-Laser Lasik,
PRK,
LASEK,
Epi-Lasik,
NearVision CK,
RLE, does not seem to be directly contraindicated, but a patient
should undoubtedly refrain from use for at least two months before
surgery and until the end of the recovery period.
Cannabis has been considered a medicinal agent for thousands
of years and across many cultures. It reached a position of prominence
within Western medicine in the nineteenth century and then became
bogged down with legal controls early in the twentieth century.
Recreational cannabis exploded into popular culture in the 1960s
and has remained easily obtainable on the black market in most countries
ever since.
A examination of peer reviewed medical journals finds 72 properly
controlled studies evaluating the therapeutic effects of cannabinoids.
For each clinical trial, the country where the project was held,
the number of patients assessed, the type of study and comparisons
done, the products and the dosages used, their efficacy and their
adverse effects are described. Cannabinoids present an interesting
therapeutic potential as antiemetics, appetite stimulants in debilitating
diseases (cancer and AIDS), analgesics, and in the treatment of
multiple sclerosis, spinal cord injuries, Tourette's syndrome, epilepsy
and glaucoma. It appears from a review of these studies that the
use of cannabis concurrent with refractive surgery is not problematic,
however no direct evaluation to any refractive surgery technique
was performed.
In the absence of a study indicating the use of marijuana is
okay, it is reasonable to refrain from its use for a period of time
before surgery that any elements would disperse, and until full
recovery from surgery. If a surgery related complication were to
occur, the patient would not have the added concern of a negative
interaction with the medications or treatments necessary to resolve
the complication.
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 Surgery Doctor.
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