Lasers used for eye surgery do not interfere with pacemakers, study finds
August 7, 2009
One believed contraindication for laser eye surgery is if the patient has an implanted cardiac pacemaker or defibrillator. The concern is that the operation of ophthalmic lasers in close proximity of these devices may interfere with their normal operation.
But recent research by Neil A. Sher, MD, adjunct clinical professor of ophthalmology at the University of Minnesota (Minneapolis), suggests these fears may be unwarranted.
Lasers and pacemakers: Study design and methods
Dr. Sher evaluated the effect of operating a number of lasers used in eye surgery, including a popular excimer laser used in LASIK and PRK, on popular cardiac pacing devices manufactured by Medtronic (Minneapolis) and St. Jude Medical (St. Paul, MN).
To simulate the devices being implanted in a human subject, the pacemakers and defibrillators were submerged in salt water in a waterproof container to simulate resistance around the heart.
The lasers were then fired in close proximity to the devices to see if electromagnetic fields generated by the lasers would cause the pacemakers and defibrillators to malfunction.
Lasers and pacemakers: Study results
The study revealed that operation of the ophthalmic lasers caused no malfunction in any of the cardiac pacing devices tested.
The experiment was repeated several times without the occurrence of a single adverse event.
Lasers and pacemakers: Conclusions
Dr. Sher concluded that the results of the testing suggest laser vision correction and other forms of laser eye surgery pose little cardiac risk to patients who have an implanted pacemaker or defibrillator.
He noted that the worst-case scenario was used in the study, with the use of the highest laser energy, the most pulses, the widest laser beams, and the most sensitive settings on the cardiac devices.
Dr. Sher recommends surgery centers reconsider the posting of warning signs about lasers and pacemakers on the doors of their laser suites, and he believes lasers commonly used in eye surgery pose no risk to the normal operation of cardiac pacing devices.