What Makes Someone A Good Candidate for LASIK Surgery?

Improving visual acuity is the primary goal of LASIK surgery, and many patients see amazing results! LASIK continues to be the most preferred method of permanent vision correction, and is constantly growing in popularity as technology advances. LASIK surgery is a great way to treat astigmatism, nearsightedness, and farsightedness, but it is not for everyone.

So, what exactly makes one person a great candidate for LASIK, and another entirely unable to receive the procedure?

What Makes Someone a Candidate for LASIK Surgery?

To be eligible for LASIK surgery, you must fit certain criteria. This is not because LASIK surgery is impossible to perform on those outside of the criteria – it is because the risk of complication after surgery is too high.

Before you can schedule your LASIK surgery, our doctors at OCLI require you to attend a LASIK consultation. During this consultation, you will receive a comprehensive eye exam. You will also be asked questions about your eye health and family history of disease.

In order to successfully undergo LASIK surgery, you must not:

• Be under the age of 18
• Have health issues such as uncontrolled diabetes, or any condition that compromises the immune system
• Have keratoconus, glaucoma, cataracts, corneal disease and certain other eye diseases.
• Have eye conditions such as amblyopia, strabismus or any eye conditions that may inhibit healing
• Have had previous eye injuries or infections
• Be pregnant or nursing
• Have an unstable eyewear prescription

You should also inform one of our doctors of any severe and continuous eye dryness, which, if overlooked, might produce complications during the surgery and recovery. It’s also essential to not wear contact lenses for a period of time specified by your doctor. Typically, you will be asked to discontinue use of your contact lenses at least two weeks in advance of your surgery

Potential Risks After LASIK Surgery

If one of our LASIK experts at OCLI determines that you are not a LASIK candidate, it is important to listen to their advice. Our doctors are highly trained and experienced, and would never operate on a patient who has a high risk of complication.

Previous eye surgeries can negatively affect the outcome of LASIK, and even though eye infections due to the LASIK eye surgery are rare, they are more common in those who are deemed unfit for LASIK. Those with keratoconus or thin corneas have a higher risk of corneal complications which could require additional treatment/surgery. These complications can lead to damage to the cornea and overall vision.

For those who are not candidates for LASIK, OCLI offers alternative procedures that can give you similar results, safely. If you have been told you are not a candidate for LASIK surgery, or if you would like to schedule a consultation, be sure to contact OCLI as soon as possible. While LASIK may not be a possibility for everyone, there are still plenty of ways to improve your vision!

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