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Am I a LASIK Candidate?

Recent advancements in laser technology have made LASIK surgery a viable option for a growing number of individuals experiencing vision issues, including those who were once considered ineligible for the procedure. Today, LASIK can effectively correct higher-order aberrations, as well as hyperopia, myopia, and astigmatism. However, it is important to note that not all patients with these vision problems are suitable candidates for LASIK.

LASIK Candidates

Being a good candidate is a significant factor in achieving a successful outcome. All potential patients are screened very carefully with a comprehensive consultation. You may qualify for LASIK eye surgery if you are:

Over 18 years of age

While some patients are able to get LASIK at age 18 under the right circumstances, we generally advise against it. The younger you are when you get LASIK, the more likely you are to need an enhancement surgery later on when your eyes grow and change.

Stable in your prescription

If your vision prescription has changed every six months to a year, your eye doctor will probably not recommend LASIK for the same reasons we don’t recommend it for younger adults. There’s no point in surgically correcting the cornea if it is still changing. Instead, ophthalmologists prefer to wait until the patient’s prescription has stabilized for at least 12 months.

Nearsighted, farsighted, and/or astigmatic

LASIK is an effective solution for many patients experiencing various vision conditions, such as myopia, hyperopia, and astigmatism. However, if your prescription is too high, LASIK may not be a cost-effective choice. The FDA has approved LASIK for individuals with up to +6.00 diopters of farsightedness, -12 diopters of nearsightedness, and 6.00 diopters of astigmatism. Even within these limits, your ophthalmologist may determine that LASIK is not the best option for your specific needs.

Have appropriate corneal thickness

During traditional LASIK surgery, surgeons make an incision in the cornea to create a flap through which the underlying tissues of the eye are accessed. When the cornea is thin or the eye prescription is very high, LASIK may not be an option. In patients with irregular corneas including corneal dystrophy like keratoconus, pellucid marginal degeneration and others, laser vision correction of any sort is not advised.

A good LASIK candidate should also be able to commit to follow-up appointments to ensure proper healing and sustained results from the procedure.


When LASIK May Not be an Option

Not everyone is a good candidate for LASIK, you may not qualify for the procedure if:

You have an eye disease

If you have a medical condition or take medications that could impact wound healing, LASIK may not be suitable for you. Conditions such as autoimmune diseases (like lupus and rheumatoid arthritis), immunodeficiency disorders (such as HIV), and diabetes, along with certain medications (including retinoic acid and steroids), can hinder proper healing after a refractive procedure. Additionally, individuals with eye conditions like cataracts, glaucoma, macular degeneration, or diabetic retinopathy should avoid LASIK.

You have eye infections, corneal scarring or injuries within a year prior to surgery

It is important to disclose any past infections of or injuries to the eye before undergoing the LASIK procedure. These conditions can affect the results of surgery and lead to complications during the procedure. In addition, LASIK surgery may lead to a resurgence of a previous infection, if not properly addressed.

You are pregnant

Pregnancy hormones alter just about every system in your body, including vision. For this reason, pregnant women often experience vision changes that stabilize again once the baby is born. Eye doctors only perform LASIK after the pregnancy and a few months of postpartum hormone balance have stabilized a patient’s vision.

You suffer from chronic dry eye

When the eyes are excessively dry, as seen in conditions like collagen vascular diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, laser vision correction may not be beneficial. Patients with dry eyes can undergo LASIK, but it is essential to have the condition under control prior to the procedure. This may involve initiating a dry eye treatment plan with your eye doctor, making lifestyle adjustments, or taking medications to enhance tear production. If you are considering LASIK and are aware that dry eye is a concern, it is crucial to address your dry eye symptoms as soon as possible.

A good LASIK candidate should also be able to commit to follow-up appointments to ensure proper healing and sustained results from the procedure.