As more eye patients seek permanent solutions to vision impairments like myopia (nearsightedness), hyperopia (farsightedness), and astigmatism, LASIK is the leading option for those looking to enhance their visual acuity and reduce their dependence on corrective eyewear. While hailed for its transformative effects and high success rate, it’s important to understand that the requirements for LASIK may rule out some candidates. Let’s dive in and explore LASIK eligibility and who should not have laser eye surgery.

A Glimpse Into What LASIK Is & How It Works

LASIK, short for Laser-Assisted In Situ Keratomileusis, is a revolutionary vision correction procedure that reshapes the cornea, the clear dome at the front of your eye, to improve your focus.

1. A thin flap is created using a Femtosecond laser. This flap is then gently lifted, so that we can access and reshape the corneal tissue underneath.
2. A very precise and gentle Excimer laser is used to remove a microscopic layer of corneal tissue – a predetermined amount – sculpting the cornea’s curvature in the process to correct for your specific refractive error.
3. The flap created earlier is then carefully placed back into position, where it naturally adheres (no stitches) and heals on its own.

LASIK is known for its quick recovery times and the significant improvement it can provide to a patient’s vision. However, not everyone meets LASIK requirements.

LASIK Eligibility – Who Makes A Suitable Candidate?

LASIK can be life-changing, but is it right for you? Let’s explore the key factors that determine LASIK eligibility.

1. When you’re young, your vision is still changing drastically, especially during your adolescent years. This can directly impact the long-term success of LASIK surgery outcomes, and so a LASIK requirement is that you’re 18+ years of age.
2. Your vision prescription needs to be stable for at least 1-2 years prior to your LASIK appointment. This is a requirement for LASIK because if your prescription fluctuates after the surgery, the laser correction might end up not being accurate which could lead to sub-optimal results. Plus, a stable prescription indicates your eyes have reached a point where your vision is less likely to change in the future, resulting in a lasting correction.
3. Your eyes should be free from conditions that affect the cornea, retina, or eyelids. This means you should not have conditions like dry eyes, eye infections, eye injuries, and eye diseases like glaucoma, cataracts, or keratoconus.
4. Another LASIK requirement is that you’re in good overall health. Systemic diseases like lupus and rheumatoid arthritis (inflammation) can affect the healing process, which can increase the risk of complications and potentially compromise the long-term success of the procedure. A full medical history is required during your consultation to ensure you meet LASIK eligibility.
5. Requirements for LASIK also include that you have realistic expectations and a clear understanding of what LASIK can and cannot do. While LASIK can significantly reduce a person’s dependence on glasses or contact lenses, it does not always result in 20/20 vision.

So, Who Should Not Have Laser Eye Surgery?

If you are under the age of 18, have unstable vision, or are not in general good health, you should not have laser eye surgery. This is because certain medical conditions, like autoimmune diseases, and dry eye syndrome can impact how well your body heals after surgery. Beyond this, if you’re someone who is on prescription medications like steroids (can delay healing), or acne medications (can cause dry eye and increase the chance of corneal scarring), you may be ineligible for LASIK.

If you are currently pregnant or expect to become pregnant in the near future, it’s recommended that you wait to book your LASIK appointment as hormone fluctuations can affect vision. For those nursing, it’s advisable to wait 1-2 months post-weaning to ensure that your vision is once again stable.

Ready to Learn More or Schedule An Appointment?

While LASIK is an excellent vision-correct procedure for many with life-altering results, it may not be right for you. This doesn’t count you out though, as there are other vision correction alternatives that could suit your specific circumstances better such as a Visian EVO ICL or restorative lens exchange.

If you feel ready to explore LASIK further, we invite you to learn more about the procedure on our website, or schedule a consultation with our world-renowned surgeons.