SuraVision

What Disqualifies You From LASIK Eye Surgery?

Checking vision for lasik

LASIK eye surgery is a popular procedure that corrects vision and eliminates the need for glasses or contact lenses. However, not everyone is a good candidate for this surgery. It’s important to know what disqualifies you from LASIK so that you can make an informed decision about your eye health. Here, we’ll go over the key factors that may prevent you from qualifying for LASIK.

Age Limitations

LASIK is generally recommended for adults who are at least 18 years old. At this age, your eyes have typically stopped changing, meaning your prescription is more stable. However, being too young may disqualify you from LASIK. People under the age of 18 often experience changes in their vision, so it’s important to wait until those changes have stabilized before considering surgery.

On the other end of the spectrum, LASIK may not be the best option for older individuals. People over 60 may develop age-related vision changes, like presbyopia, which causes difficulty focusing on close objects. While LASIK can address distance vision, it doesn’t correct presbyopia. Therefore, your eye doctor may recommend other treatments if you’re experiencing age-related vision changes.

Unstable Vision

Your prescription needs to be stable for at least a year before undergoing LASIK. If your vision is still changing, LASIK may not be an effective solution. For example, people with rapidly changing prescriptions may find that their vision continues to fluctuate, making it difficult to achieve long-term results from the surgery. If your prescription is still adjusting, your doctor may recommend postponing LASIK until it stabilizes.

Dry Eyes

Dry eyes are a common concern among LASIK candidates. During the procedure, the cornea is reshaped, which can temporarily decrease the amount of moisture your eyes produce. If you already suffer from dry eyes, LASIK may exacerbate this problem. Your doctor may suggest alternative treatments to address your dry eye issues before considering LASIK. In some cases, you may need to treat your dry eyes for several months before being considered for surgery.

Thick Corneas

A critical factor in LASIK eligibility is the thickness of your corneas. LASIK surgery requires enough corneal tissue to create a flap and reshape the cornea. If your corneas are too thin, the surgery may weaken the structure of your eye and increase the risk of complications. In these cases, your doctor may recommend other vision correction options, such as implantable lenses or a different type of laser eye surgery.

Severe Astigmatism

Astigmatism occurs when the cornea is irregularly shaped, leading to blurry vision. LASIK can treat mild to moderate astigmatism, but it may not be effective for individuals with severe astigmatism. In cases where the astigmatism is too pronounced, LASIK may not provide satisfactory results. If you have severe astigmatism, your doctor will evaluate other treatments that may be better suited to your needs.

Health Conditions

Certain health conditions can disqualify you from LASIK. For example, individuals with autoimmune disorders, like rheumatoid arthritis or lupus, may experience complications with healing after the surgery. Similarly, people with diabetes, especially those with poor blood sugar control, may be at higher risk for infections or slow healing. LASIK is also not recommended for individuals with conditions cataracts, as these conditions affect the eyes in ways that LASIK cannot correct.

Pregnancy and breastfeeding are also factors that may disqualify you from LASIK. Hormonal changes during pregnancy can cause temporary changes in vision. As a result, your prescription may not be stable, which could lead to less predictable results. For this reason, LASIK is typically recommended only once you have stopped breastfeeding and your vision has returned to its normal state.

Previous Eye Surgeries

If you’ve had previous eye surgeries, such as cataract surgery or another type of refractive surgery, LASIK may not be an option for you. This is because the eye’s structure may have been altered in a way that makes LASIK less effective or safe. If you’ve had a prior eye surgery, discuss your medical history with your doctor to determine the best course of action for your vision.

Pregnancy and Breastfeeding

Hormonal fluctuations during pregnancy can cause temporary changes in your vision, which can make your prescription unpredictable. As a result, LASIK surgery is typically postponed until after you have given birth and finished breastfeeding. This waiting period ensures that your vision has stabilized and that LASIK will provide the most accurate results.

Unrealistic Expectations

While LASIK is a highly effective surgery, it’s important to have realistic expectations about the results. LASIK may not give you perfect vision, especially if you have a higher degree of myopia (nearsightedness) or hyperopia (farsightedness). Additionally, LASIK may not completely eliminate the need for glasses or contact lenses in some cases, particularly for tasks that require sharp close-up vision, such as reading.

Having realistic expectations and discussing your goals with your eye doctor will help you understand what LASIK can and can’t do for you. Your doctor will help you explore other options if LASIK is not the best choice for your vision needs.

How do you determine if LASIK is right for you?

If you are considering LASIK, the first step is to schedule a consultation with an experienced ophthalmologist. During this consultation, your doctor will conduct a thorough eye exam to assess the health of your eyes and determine if LASIK is a viable option. This exam may include tests to measure the thickness of your corneas, check your prescription, and evaluate the overall health of your eyes.

Your doctor will also review your medical history to identify any conditions that may disqualify you from LASIK. Based on this information, your doctor will discuss your treatment options and help you make an informed decision about the best approach for your vision needs.

Alternatives to LASIK

If you’re not a candidate for LASIK, there are other options for vision correction. One alternative is PRK (photorefractive keratectomy), which is a similar procedure to LASIK but does not require creating a corneal flap. PRK is often recommended for people with thin corneas or other conditions that may disqualify them from LASIK.

Another option is implantable lenses (ICLs), which can be used to correct nearsightedness or farsightedness. ICLs are a good alternative for people who aren’t candidates for LASIK due to corneal thickness or other factors. Your eye doctor will help determine the best option based on your unique situation.

Ready to take the next step toward a clearer vision? Schedule a consultation with SuraVision today to discuss your options and learn more about the LASIK process. Call us at 713-730-2020 or book your appointment online!