Warfarin is used to prevent blood clots from forming or growing larger.
A check of the medical journals yields nothing regarding warfarin and Lasik or any kind of refractive surgery. Because bleeding is normally not involved with Lasik, and absent any specific contraindication, it is likely that a refractive surgeon will consider Warfarin to not be problematic, however opinions will undoubtedly vary.
Medline says, "(I)f you are having surgery, including dental surgery, tell the doctor or dentist that you are taking warfarin. Your doctor may tell you to stop taking warfarin 3 days before your procedure."
Your general medical doctor and cardiologist may consider three days without warfarin to be a dangerous risk. You need to ask your general physician, cardiologist, and refractive surgeon for an opinion. If any one of them say it is a contraindication do not have surgery, even if one or the other two say it is okay.
The most you can achieve with Lasik is the convenience of a reduced need for corrective lenses. To achieve that convenience you will need to accept some risk. If any of your doctors indicate your risk is elevated, it seems the risk is not worth the convenience.
Glenn Hagele
http://USAEyes.org
Patient Advocacy & Surgeon Certification
I am not a doctor.
