If you are considering LASIK, you might be wondering if you’re a good candidate. There are quite a bit of variables that go into our LASIK procedure, so we always recommend that it is best to schedule a complimentary consultation with Dr. Concool first. The absolute best way to know is to schedule a free consultation with us, however, there are a couple things you can check on beforehand.
1- You need to have healthy eyes. If you have a temporary or treatable condition such as Conjunctivitis (pink eye) or Severe Dry Eye Syndrome you may be a candidate after the condition has been resolved, but you will need to seek treatment for any health issues related to your eyes first.
2- You should not have overly large pupils. Naturally large pupils put you at a higher risk of side effects, such a halos and glares.
3- Your prescription should not be too high. After a certain point the results of LASIK become less predictable and may not be worth the cost and risk of surgery. If you have a severe refractive error you should consult your doctor about other types of vision correction surgery before coming to final decision.
4- Your cornea needs to be thick enough. The way LASIK works the doctor will be cutting into your cornea to make the corrections. In order to be successful they will need to have a certain amount of thickness.
5- You must be over 18, and for some procedures over 21.
6- You must also have had stable vision for over a year. Many teenagers and young adult will find their prescription changing from year to year until their eyes settle. For the best results it’s important that the refractive error be stable for at least 12 months.
7- You should be generally healthy. Degenerative conditions and autoimmune diseases are both concerns when planning LASIK surgery. They can affect your body’s ability to heal and certain medication might cause further complications post-surgery. Which diseases are automatic disqualifiers and which can be worked with are still being debated. If you have a health issue you will need to discuss it with your doctor before hand.
8- You shouldn’t be pregnant. Pregnancy can cause temporary changes to the cornea of the eye and it can also cause chronic dry eyes. In addition some post-surgery medication (such as antibiotics and steroids) may be harmful to babies – both unborn or nursing. It is recommend to wait until a few months after pregnancy before scheduling LASIK surgery for the best vision results as well as for you and your baby’s health.
If you match all of these criteria you are likely to be a good candidate for LASIK. They are however not binding, and if you do not match every one of them you may still be a candidate, only your LASIK surgeon can tell you for sure after performing some screening tests. If you think you are a good candidate, or if you would like to discuss your options further, please schedule a consultation with us here!