Are You a LASIK Surgery Candidate?
If it seems like everyone is getting LASIK these days, that’s because LASIK has become more popular than ever. It’s likely that an increasing amount friends, family, and colleagues you encounter have proudly had their “eyes done”! For many people, LASIK eye surgery vastly improves their vision. If you are an eligible LASIK candidate, corrective surgery could alleviate or eliminate your dependence on glasses and contact lenses. Well over 700,000 Americans undergo LASIK treatment each year— but did you know that not everyone is a LASIK surgery candidate?
Ultimately, LASIK is only right for you if your eye surgeon is certain that you will be a good LASIK surgery candidate. There are a variety of situations in which LASIK might not be right for you, and it’s important to determine whether or not you are an eligible LASIK candidate so you can pursue the optimal path toward improving your vision. At Dello Russo Laser Vision, we’re here to help guide your journey.
We’ll go over some of the reasons why you might not be eligible for LASIK, whether temporarily or permanently, and a few alternative treatments for people who are not LASIK eye surgery candidates.
What Can Disqualify Me as a LASIK Candidate?
LASIK can be an excellent option for correcting your vision, but in some cases, it may not be right for you. There are a number of reasons that may make you ineligible. You may not be a LASIK surgery candidate if:
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You are under 18 years of age
The vast majority of people are still growing through the age of 18, and so are their eyes. Because of this, any nearsightedness, farsightedness, or astigmatism (which LASIK corrects) in children and teens is likely to change as they age. Because a young person’s eyesight will continue to develop and adjust as they grow older, those under the age of 18 are not eligible LASIK eye surgery candidates. LASIK is reserved for adults over 18.
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You have poor general health
People with a compromised immune response may not be eligible for LASIK eye surgery. The same holds true for people with certain health issues, including uncontrolled diabetes and collagen vascular conditions. During your initial consultation, your eye surgeon will ask you about your current and past medical history to determine whether or not you are a LASIK surgery candidate.
It’s important to fully disclosed your health conditions and concerns when speaking to your surgeon. As important, you should document your medical history, including any medications past or present on the new patient forms provided to you. Doing so ensures that your eye doctor can make an informed decision about whether you are a LASIK candidate or if other procedures might be more suitable for you.
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You are pregnant
Pregnancy hormones can trigger changes to your current vision prescription. For this reason, pregnant women should wait until after they’ve given birth to find out if they are LASIK eye surgery candidates. A general rule of thumb, pregnant women should wait at least three menstruation cycles after giving birth before considering LASIK surgery.
Interestingly, some studies have even shown that lactating women (women providing their children with breastmilk) may also experience instabilities to their prescription. As such, if you are breastfeeding or pumping, it may be advisable to wait until after you are finished to see if you’re a qualifying LASIK candidate.
There are exceptions to the above, however, so it’s best to talk to an eye doctor after you have given birth to determine whether you’re a LASIK surgery candidate now or if you should wait a while longer
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You have a current eye disease or injury
You will likely not be a candidate for LASIK if you currently have any of the following eye diseases or injuries:
- Keratoconus
- Glaucoma
- Corneal disease
- Retinal and/or an optic nerve disease
- Herpes zoster
- Any soft tissue damage to the eye
- Chronic dry eye syndrome
- Your corneas are not very thick
If your corneal thickness is less than 0.5mm, you may not be a LASIK surgery candidate as the cornea needs to be thick enough to allow the laser to cut a flap. Only an eye doctor can determine the corneal thickness, and this will be assessed during your LASIK consultation.
I’m Not a LASIK Surgery Candidate, What Next?
If you’ve been to see an eye surgeon and have been told that you’re not eligible to be a LASIK surgery candidate, don’t worry — other options are available. PRK (another laser surgery) and implants are viable options for LASIK alternatives. Talk to your eye doctor about which LASIK alternatives might be right for you.
Remember that determining whether someone is a LASIK surgery candidate is entirely based on the individual, their eyes, and their eye health needs. The only way to determine if LASIK surgery is right for you is to make an appointment to see your eye doctor.
At Dello Russo Laser Vision, we take the time to carefully assess each and every one of our LASIK candidates to ensure that we take proper care of you and your vision. Give us a call today to set up your free consultation. We look forward to helping you discover if you might be a qualified LASIK eye surgery candidate.
Why Choose Dello Russo Laser Vision?
Dello Russo Laser Vision is one of the most celebrated LASIK centers in the Northeast with World Class LASIK surgeons at the helm. We are at the forefront of ophthalmological treatments and have been a pioneer in LASIK surgery since1990. We have built a trusted reputation with our patients based on our experience, expertise, and quality of care.
As a family-run business that prioritizes providing patients with friendly, warm, and professional service, we make it our mission to ensure your total comfort throughout the entire LASIK process. Whether you’re scheduling your very first consultation to find out if you’re a LASIK surgery candidate or you’re coming in for a follow-up appointment after receiving LASIK with us, we look forward to making your experience as smooth as possible.
