Am I a Candidate for LASIK Surgery?

Have you been toying with the idea of having LASIK surgery? Are you dreaming of the day when you no longer need to wear glasses or contacts to see? Well, don’t get too far ahead of yourself – first you need to determine if you are a good candidate for LASIK surgery.

Most candidates who come to the LASIK Institute at Illinois Eye Center are excellent candidates for LASIK, but it’s important to keep in mind that everyone’s eyes are different. There are instances where LASIK is not the best vision correction option for a patient. While your surgeon will review a number of factors, including your eye health history, your current prescription and current overall health, the best candidates for LASIK surgery meet the following criteria:

• 18 years of age or older
  • WHY?
    • A minimum age requirement increases the likelihood that an individual’s eyes are stable.
• Need glasses or contacts to see clearly
• Have relatively stable vision over the last 18 months
• Have a healthy cornea, retina and eye pressure
• Have no other major eye diseases
• Have no evidence of collagen vascular, autoimmune or immunodeficiency disease
  • WHY?
    • A person with an autoimmune disorder who undergoes LASIK is at risk for corneal thinning, corneal melts, corneal ulcers and irregular healing, as well as scleritis, episcleritis, keratitis and inflammation.
    • Additionally, with the inflammatory condition, the lacrimal gland is affected, potentially leading to extremely dry corneas.
    • Another issue relates to the medication patients with collagen vascular diseases must take.
    • In patients with rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, etc., doctors cannot predict long-term outcomes. (Source: American Academy of Ophthalmology)
• Are not pregnant or nursing
  • WHY?
    • Women who are pregnant/nursing oftentimes experience a change in their vision and would most likely be left with an over- or under-correction following LASIK surgery.
    • Hormonal changes and corneal pressure (the result of fluid retention) can also affect the vision of a woman who is pregnant/nursing.
• Have realistic expectations of what the surgery can accomplish

Not everyone’s eyes may be suited for LASIK surgery, and there are different corrective options available, like implantable contact lenses (ICLs). To find out if you are a good candidate, request your free consultation today. Or you can learn more about the procedure by attending one of our free upcoming LASIK seminars.

Choosing to undergo LASIK surgery is a big, exciting decision – one that requires careful consideration and planning. The surgeons at the LASIK Institute at Illinois Eye Center located in Peoria, Illinois, are ready to address your concerns and answer all of your questions so that you experience excellent outcomes following your LASIK procedure.