LASIK is Not a Treatment for Lower Extremity Swelling
LASIK (Laser-Assisted In Situ Keratomileusis) is an ophthalmologic refractive surgery procedure used exclusively to correct vision problems such as myopia, hyperopia, and astigmatism—it has absolutely no role in treating bilateral lower extremity swelling. 1
What LASIK Actually Treats
LASIK is a corneal refractive surgery that reshapes the corneal stroma using laser energy to correct refractive errors 1:
- Myopia (nearsightedness): 92% of eyes achieve within 1.00 D of intended correction, with 98% achieving uncorrected visual acuity of 20/40 or better in low to moderate myopia 1
- Hyperopia (farsightedness): 88% of eyes achieve within 1.00 D of intended correction 1
- Astigmatism: 95-99% of eyes with myopic or mixed astigmatism achieve excellent refractive outcomes 1
The Procedure Involves the Eye Only
The LASIK procedure involves creating a corneal flap, performing laser ablation of the stromal bed, and repositioning the flap—all confined to the eye 1. The procedure requires topical anesthesia to the eye, with optional mild systemic sedation for anxiolysis 2. There is no mechanism by which this ocular surgery would address peripheral edema or swelling of the lower extremities.
Common Pitfall: Question Misunderstanding
This question appears to contain a fundamental misunderstanding. If you are asking about Lasix (furosemide) rather than LASIK, that would be an entirely different question about diuretic dosing for lower extremity edema. LASIK and Lasix are completely unrelated:
- LASIK = Laser eye surgery for vision correction 1
- Lasix = Loop diuretic medication for fluid overload
What Actually Treats Bilateral Lower Extremity Swelling
Bilateral lower extremity swelling requires evaluation for underlying causes (heart failure, venous insufficiency, renal disease, liver disease, medication effects, lymphedema) and treatment directed at the specific etiology—not refractive eye surgery 1.