Herpes and
Lasik, PRK, LASEK, Epi-Lasik, P-IOL, RLE, etc.

If you have herpes simplex virus (HSV) you may not be an appropriate candidate for refractive surgery. Even if you have not had an outbreak in years, any surgery can cause a reoccurrence.

The reactivation and replication of latent HSV can be induced by a variety of stimuli including fever, trauma, emotional stress, sunlight, even menstruation. The body may consider refractive surgery as trauma and react accordingly. Reactivation is more frequent and severe in immunocompromised patients. If you have herpes simplex keratitis, you probably should not have refractive surgery. Even dormant herpes simplex keratitis can be reactivated by refractive surgery.

Patients with HSV have had refractive surgery without reoccurrence or problems, however this is a significant elevated risk factor. Discuss the potential problems with both your general doctor and your refractive surgeon.