Isotretinion (20mg) - Can I Still Have Eye Surgery?

Question

I finished my first course of Isotretinoin (20mg per day for 8 weeks) in January. My dermatoligst has prescribed me another course, but I have eye surgery scheduled at the end of April (I have Duane Syndrome Type II). Can I still have surgery while on Isotretinoin? (I've only taken one pill so far). Thanks

Edward J. Gross, MD · Answer

Do not have elective cosmetic surgery while on Accutane. The skin has reduced ability to heal and this could compromise results or lead to scarring. You should wait for 12 months after stopping the Accutane before having eyelid surgery. This is a well-established fact in plastic surgery literature. Dr. G.

Kenneth D. Steinsapir, MD · Answer

Dear Lazyeye

	As your eye surgery is elective and can be rescheduled, the question is should surgery be performed now.  It is written that following isotretinoin, the body does not heal skin wounds well.  For this reason, facelifts, chemical peels, and laser resurfacing is often put off for 12-24 months after a course of isotretinoin.  Recognize that eye muscle surgery is very different than these skin procedures.  There is also absolutely no medical literature on this precise subject.  You eye surgeon should be most concerned with the dry eye that can be caused by the isotretinoin.  However, 8 weeks is a very short course of isotretinoin and its impact on tear production might be much less than the usual 4 to 6 month treatment courses that some undergo.

B. Aviva Preminger, MD · Answer

Isotretinoin is known to significantly impair wound healing.  I'm not sure what type of eye surgery you are planning to have, but it sounds elective, and it is generally recommended that patients wait at least a year after coming off isotretinoin before undergoing a procedure.  I wouldn't take the chance.

Isotretinion (20mg) - Can I Still Have Eye Surgery?

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Isotretinion (20mg) - Can I Still Have Eye Surgery?

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