Medicines & Refractions

Hello,
How soon after discontinuing a narcotic pain medicine (management of post-surgical pain) can one have a refraction?

Will pain medicines alone affect a refraction and will general anesthesia have an effect?  If anesthesia is a problem, how long post-op should one be?

Thank you.

[John C Hagan III, MD, FACS, FAAO]

A refraction 48-72 hours after the last narcotic pain medication should be adequate, same with general anesthesia.

In most instances the main problem is that the pain medicine or the anesthesia may render the patient too sleepy, tired or distracted to be an active co-partner in the refractive process.

JCH III MD   Eye MD