Are You a Good Candidate for Laser Eye Surgery?

Are you a good candidate for laser eye surgery, and who is laser eye surgery actually suitable for? The good news is that most people are. In this article, we’ll go over the main criteria that determine whether this procedure is right for you.

Maybe you’re tired of dealing with contact lenses every day, or you’re simply fed up with constantly misplacing your glasses. Whatever your situation, laser eye surgery offers a safe way to permanently correct your vision.

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You May Be a Good Candidate for Laser Eye Surgery If…

You Have Stable Vision

To undergo any type of laser eye surgery, your prescription must be stable (no changes in your eyeglass or contact lens prescription) for at least one year. If your prescription is still changing frequently—as is common in many teenagers and young adults—you’ll need to wait until it stabilizes.

You’re at Least 18 Years Old (Sometimes 21)

This is related to the point above. Most people under the age of 18 are not eligible for laser eye surgery because their vision is still changing. Some surgeons and regions may even prefer that patients be 21 or older to ensure greater stability.

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You’re in Generally Good Health

To be a suitable candidate for laser eye surgery, you should be in good overall health and able to heal from the procedure without an increased risk of complications. If you have an autoimmune disease or connective tissue disorder, laser eye surgery may be contraindicated.

Your Eyes Are Healthy

This is extremely important. You should have healthy eyes with no significant history of serious eye diseases or major eye problems.

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Your Prescription Falls Within an Appropriate Range

Your refractive error must fall within a certain range for laser eye surgery to be effective. For example, people with more than about -8.00 diopters of myopia (nearsightedness) are usually not ideal candidates. Your ophthalmologist will perform a comprehensive eye exam to determine your exact prescription and whether it’s suitable for laser correction.

Laser Eye Surgery May Not Be Right for You If…

You Have Thin Corneas

Some people naturally have very thin corneas. If this is the case, laser eye surgery may not be a safe or appropriate option for you.

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You Have an Eye Disease or Have Had Previous Eye Surgery

If you currently have, or have previously had, an eye condition such as glaucoma or keratoconus, you may not be able to undergo laser eye surgery. Likewise, some patients who have had cataract surgery are not suitable candidates for corneal laser procedures—though this does not apply to everyone. If you have a current eye injury, you’ll need to wait until the eye has completely healed before you can be evaluated for surgery.

Read also: Learn About the Benefits of Laser Cataract Surgery

You Have Chronic Dry Eye

If you already suffer from chronic dry eye, laser eye surgery may not be appropriate for you. The procedure can sometimes worsen dryness. Your ophthalmologist can assess your condition and determine whether you’re a suitable candidate.

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If I’m Not a Candidate for Laser Eye Surgery or LASIK, What Other Options Do I Have?

LASIK is the most common type of laser eye surgery. If you’re not a good candidate for LASIK, you may still qualify for other surface procedures such as PRK, LASEK, or Epi-LASIK.  

If you’re not eligible for any type of laser surgery at all, there are still other vision correction options available, including conductive keratoplasty, phakic intraocular lens (IOL) implantation, and refractive lens exchange surgery.

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