Am I a Candidate for LASIK?
LASIK eye surgery is a good option for most people. The surgery is generally considered safe and the incidence of side effects is low when an experienced and well-trained refractive surgeon performs the surgery. Still, certain conditions may preclude you from having the procedure (or at least delay your candidacy). The best way to determine whether or not LASIK is right for you is to visit a refractive surgeon for a series of eye tests.
The best LASIK candidates share certain characteristics. You may be a good candidate if you have mild to moderate nearsightedness (myopia), farsightedness (hyperopia), or astigmatism. LASIK cannot be used for age-related presbyopia or other conditions. It is also important that you have realistic expectations and a thorough understanding of both the procedure and its risks.
You may not be a good candidate for LASIK if you have an eye disease such as glaucoma or if you have had an eye infection within the past year. Other health problems can also affect your candidacy. People with autoimmune diseases (like lupus and Sjogren’s syndrome), herpes of the eye, a history of eye injury, or dry eye may be disqualified from undergoing the procedure. In addition, if your eyeglass or contact lens prescription has changed within the past year, you may not be able to have LASIK.
Two additional factors are crucial in determining who should not undergo LASIK: corneal thickness and pupil size. Your ophthalmologist should measure both of these before deciding whether or not you are a good LASIK candidate. Because LASIK involves cutting a flap in the outer layer of your eye—the cornea—it is important that it not be too thin. People with thin corneas have an increased risk of complications following laser eye surgery. In addition, the size to which your pupils dilate in the dark can affect your candidacy. If your pupils are too large, you may suffer from undesirable side effects, such as glare and halos, following surgery.
Finally, if you are under age 18 or if you are pregnant or nursing, you will have to wait before having LASIK.
The only way to accurately determine whether you are a good candidate for LASIK is to visit a qualified laser eye surgeon. With the right tests and a thorough examination, your doctor can help you decide whether LASIK is right for you.
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