Please Note: Due to volume considerations, not all questions can be answered. Questions most likely to be answered will be those of general interest to a broad group of visitors to this forum. Questions pertaining to a specific case; requests for diagnosis, medical advice, or second opinion; or requests for opinions about untested alternative therapies will generally not be answered.
Ask the Experts about Managing Side Effects of HIV Treatment
As the RN in this Ophthalmology group, I have been tasked by the physician to provide information on what precautions should be taken by staff and the laser team when doing LASIK surgery on an HIV positive patient. Also, what do we need to know about HER i.e., how will she respond/heal, etc. Should we get a clearance from her primary physician? When the laser vaporizes the cornea, can the patient's virus be inhaled by the healthcare workers? what about afterwards, i.e., scrubbing room/walls equipment etc. Thank you
Advertisement
>
Response from Dr. Henry
An HIV+ person on effective treatment (undetectble virus levels) poses little/no risk to health care workers for most routine procedures if standard precautions are followed. The risk is also low even for untreated HIV+ patients who are in fairly good health overall. LASIK surgery would be considered a low risk procedure. In the TWIN Cities scores of HIV+ patients have had LASIK surgery. Healing, post-op complications et cetera would be expected to be similar to the general population. KH
Want to read more questions and answers on this subject? Our experts have answered many similar questions!
Please remember that this forum is designed for educational purposes only, and experts are not engaged through this
forum in rendering legal or medical advice or professional services. Experts appearing on this page are independent and are solely responsible
for editing and fact-checking their material. Neither The Body nor any sponsor is the publisher or speaker of posted visitors' questions or the experts' material.
Questions and messages posted to this forum are not statements of advice, opinion, or information of The Body, Body Health Resources Corporation or any sponsor of this
forum. While neither The Body nor Body Health Resources Corporation regularly reviews posted content, we reserve the right to delete, move, or
edit postings if we deem it appropriate under the circumstances. Visitors submitting questions remain solely responsible for the content of their
messages.
Information provided by experts is general only and should not be used for diagnosing or treating a health problem or a disease, or relied upon as
legal or other professional advice. This information is not a substitute for professional advice or care. If you have or suspect you may have a
health or legal problem, you should consult your own health care provider or your attorney.
E-Mail
Glossary
Response from Dr. Henry
