Are you a suitable candidate for laser eye surgery? The good news is that most people are. In this article, we’re going to go over some of the criteria that define your viability.
Perhaps you’re tired of fiddling with contact lenses every day, or you’re simply fed up with misplacing your glasses? Whatever your situation, laser eye surgery offers a safe way to permanently correct your vision.
You’re a suitable candidate for laser eye surgery if you:
Have stable eyesight
To have any laser eye surgery performed, you need to have had stable eyesight (no changes to your prescription) for at least a year. If your prescription is changing frequently, as it does in many teenagers and young adults, you’ll need to wait.
Are 18 years old (sometimes 21)
This is linked to the above point. Most people who are under 18 won’t qualify for laser eye surgery because young people’s vision is still changing.
Are in good general health
To be a suitable candidate for laser eye surgery, you need to be a healthy individual who is able to recover from the procedure without a heightened risk of complications. If you have an autoimmune disease or a connective tissue disease, laser eye surgery may be contraindicated.
Have healthy eyes
This is a very important point. Having healthy eyes, with no history of previous eye diseases or serious eye issues, is a necessity.
Are within a certain prescription range
Your eyesight prescription has to be within a certain range for laser eye surgery to be effective. For example, people who are more than -8.00 degrees of myopic (nearsighted) are not good candidates.
Your eye surgeon will perform a comprehensive examination to determine your prescription and your suitability.
Laser eye surgery might not be suitable for you if you:
Have a thin cornea
Some people have very thin corneas and if this is the case, laser eye surgery might not be a suitable option.
Have an eye disease or have undergone eye surgery
If you have or have had, an eye disease such as glaucoma or keratoconus. You might not be able to have laser eye surgery. Likewise, some people who have undergone cataract surgery are exempt from laser procedures — but this doesn’t hold true for all people.
If you have a current eye injury, you will have to wait until the affected eye is completely healed before you can be assessed.
Chronic dry eyes
If you already have chronic dry eye, laser eye surgery may not be suitable for you. Laser eye surgery can worsen your dry eyes. Your ophthalmologist can determine if you’re a suitable candidate or not.
Are pregnant or breastfeeding
Pregnant or breastfeeding women should wait until they’re not pregnant or breastfeeding anymore.
If I can’t have LASIK or laser eye surgery, what other options are there?
LASIK is the most popular type of laser eye surgery. If you are not a suitable candidate for LASIK, you might be able to have PRK, LASEK or Epi-LASIK instead.
If you’re unable to have any kind of laser surgery, don’t worry, there are other options available including conductive keratoplasty, phakic intraocular lens implants, and refractive lens exchange surgery.
Now that you have a better idea about whether you’re a suitable candidate for laser eye surgery, your next step is a consultation with an eye surgeon. Dello Russo Laser Vision is New York and New Jersey’s premier eye care provider. Please get in touch with us today to book a consultation.
