Eye issues are pretty common today. Thanks to technology, though, it’s also possible to get the proper fixes for many of these problems. One of these fixes is laser-assisted in situ keratomileusis (LASIK) surgery. This is a quick procedure that uses a laser to reshape your cornea.
Getting this operation improves your vision and reduces the need for glasses or contacts. However, this option isn’t for everyone. That’s why you may wonder: who qualifies for LASIK eye surgery? This guide comes with several factors that will open your eyes to the best candidates for this procedure.
Age Requirements
In most cases, you need to be at least 18 years old to qualify. Why 18? Because your eyes—and more specifically, your vision—are still developing during your teenage years. Now, while 18 is often the minimum age, some surgeons recommend waiting until your early 20s for even greater stability.
On the flip side, there’s no “maximum” age, but LASIK becomes less common as you get older. For instance, if you’re in your late 40s or beyond, age-related changes like presbyopia (difficulty seeing up close) or cataracts might affect your candidacy.
But that doesn’t mean you’re out of options simply because you’re advanced in age. Your surgeon might help you look into alternatives like lens replacement surgery, especially if cataracts are starting to form.
Overall Eye Health
Underlying eye health issues could complicate things. One common condition that raises concerns is dry eye syndrome. LASIK can sometimes worsen dryness temporarily, so if your eyes are already prone to it, you might not be a great candidate—or at least not until it’s managed. Surgeons often recommend treating dry eyes before surgery with artificial tears, prescription eye drops, or even special plugs that conserve tears.
There’s corneal health to consider too. It needs to be free of infections, scars, or diseases. Conditions like keratoconus, where the cornea thins and bulges into a cone shape, make LASIK unsafe.
Another concern that might be in the picture, you may wonder: can you get LASIK with astigmatism or other conditions? Indeed, LASIK is pretty effective in patients with astigmatism (blurry or distorted vision due to an irregularly shaped cornea) a well as other conditions such as nearsightedness (myopia) and farsightedness (hyperopia). Consult your doctor for a more informed opinion.
Stable Prescription
A stable prescription can determine whether the results last or don’t. What does “stable” mean? It means your vision hasn’t changed significantly for at least a year before surgery. Subtle changes, like going from -3.25 to -3.50 over two years, might still qualify you. Significant jumps, like from -3.25 to -4.50 in a year, will likely mean waiting.
Why is this important? LASIK corrects your current vision issues, but if your prescription keeps changing, your eyes might “outgrow” the correction and need glasses again a while later because your vision shifted. That’s exactly what surgeons want to avoid.
Curious about how to tell the state of your prescription? If you’ve been visiting the same optometrist for a while, they’ll have records of your prescription history.
Medical History and Health Conditions
While the surgery is quick and minimally invasive, it still relies on your body’s ability to heal properly afterward. Certain medical conditions can interfere with this process or increase the risk of complications.
For example, autoimmune diseases like rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, or Sjogren’s syndrome can affect healing and might disqualify you. Similarly, conditions like diabetes need to be well-controlled before surgery because high blood sugar can affect both your vision and your body’s ability to recover.
You should also let your surgeon know about even seemingly unrelated health issues like certain skin conditions or chronic migraines. Keep in mind that medications like steroids, can slow healing or make your eyes drier. This isn’t ideal for LASIK.
Corneal Thickness
Corneal thickness is one of the most critical factors when it comes to LASIK. Why? Because the surgery involves reshaping your cornea, and there needs to be enough tissue left afterward to maintain eye health and stability.
Your surgeon will measure corneal thickness with specialized tools like a corneal topographer or pachymeter during pre-surgery evaluation. If your corneas are too thin, LASIK can weaken them and lead to long-term issues like ectasia, a condition where the cornea bulges outward.
If it’s borderline thin, they might recommend alternatives like PRK (photorefractive keratectomy) or SMILE (Small Incision Lenticule Extraction) surgery. These options are gentler on thin corneas and can still provide excellent results.
Closing Thoughts
LASIK isn’t a one-size-fits-all solution, but knowing the key qualifying factors helps you decide if it’s something you want to go after. If you meet the age requirement, have stable vision, healthy eyes, and a suitable prescription, you’re off to a great start. Consult your doctor and let them guide you towards what’s best for you.
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