Are You A Candidate For LASIK? What Patients Need To Know

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Posted by: Missouri Eye Institute in Blog on June 20, 2017

If you’ve endured a lifetime of vision issues and are tired of wearing contacts or glasses on a daily basis, you may have considered looking into LASIK eye surgery. In 2015, 21 million LASIK eye surgeries were performed worldwide by certified laser eye surgeons and have become a popular choice for those looking to improve their vision. But while LASIK can be effective in treating nearsightedness, farsightedness, and astigmatism in many patients, laser eye surgery is not for everyone.

Let’s take a closer look at some of the criteria that needs to be met by potential laser eye surgery patients.

LASIK patients must be:

1. Age 18 or over
2. In good general health with no problems like uncontrolled diabetes or autoimmune diseases
3. Free of medications that compromise immune response
4. Free of certain eye diseases (i.e., glaucoma, cataracts, retinal or optic nerve problems, corneal disease, or herpes simplex or herpes zoster), chronically dry eyes, eye infections, or eye injuries
5. Forthcoming with their doctor about problems like lazy eyes, strabismus, scarring, claustrophobia, or mental health conditions
6. Not pregnant or nursing six months before or after the time of the procedure
7. Confirmed to have stable vision for at least a year prior to the procedure
8. Able to forgo wearing contact lenses for a period of time determined by their surgeon
9. Able to lie flat without discomfort or difficulty
10. Able to keep their eye focused accurately on a fixed point of light for one to two minutes

If your doctor does determine that LASIK is a viable option, your surgeon will explain how the surgery works as well as pertinent details you need to know in the months, weeks, and days prior to the procedure. You’ll also be expected to sign an informed consent form to ensure you understand how the procedure works and the risks that are associated with LASIK.

Ultimately, only your doctor can determine if you’re a good candidate for laser eye surgery. For some, a larger-than-average pupil size or thin corneas can disqualify them from being able to undergo LASIK. Every person’s vision, lifestyle, and expectations are different—what may work wonders for one person may not be a good fit for you.

Looking for the best experts in LASIK eye? To find out more or to schedule a consultation, contact Missouri Eye Institute today!