Who is Not a Candidate for LASIK?

If you've been considering LASIK surgery, it's natural to get excited about potentially being glasses- or contact lens-free. Before getting too far ahead of yourself, though, you should make sure that you're a qualified candidate – not every patient is an ideal candidate for the procedure. There are hundreds of factors to determine who is and who is not a candidate for LASIK. However, only a qualified LASIK surgeon can tell you if you are eligible. Here are three main factors for determining who is and is not a candidate for LASIK.

3 Reasons Why You Are Not a Candidate for LASIK

1. Timing

‘Now’ may not be the right time in your life to have LASIK vision surgery. The most common timing reasons are:

• You are not 18 years old. According to the FDA, you must be at least 18 years old to have LASIK eye surgery.
• Your vision is not stable. Your distance vision must be the same for a 12-month period to be an ideal LASIK candidate.
• You have the onset of cataracts. If you have the onset of cataracts, then it is not the right time for you to have LASIK vision surgery. Your eye doctor should monitor your cataracts until they need to be removed.

2. Ocular (Eye) Health

If you have certain eye issues, then you may not be a candidate for LASIK eye surgery now or in the future. A few examples of eye issues/diseases are:

• Keratoconus
• Active eye infections such as Conjunctivitis (aka pink eye) or Giant Papillary Conjunctivitis (GPC)
• A chalazion (a lump in the upper or lower eyelid caused by inflammation of a gland of the lid)
• Uncontrolled glaucoma
• Thin or Abnormal corneas (both must be evaluated by a LASIK surgeon)
• Recent retinal tears and/or retina surgery

3. Whole Body Health

LASIK eye surgery is not just about your vision and your eyes. It is also about the health of your entire body. At Providence Eye & Laser Specialists, we require a full medical history at the time of your LASIK consultation. Some examples of non-ocular health conditions that may delay or make you not a candidate for LASIK are:

• Pregnancy
• In the stimulation phase of in-vitro fertilization (IVF)
• Uncontrolled diabetes (A1C 7.0 or less to consider LASIK)
• Autoimmune diseases (must be carefully discussed with physicians)
• Active Multiple Sclerosis
• Recently suffered from a stroke
• Cognitive impairment not being able to sign medical consent

If you are still unsure about who is and who is not a candidate for LASIK, a consultation from a reputable LASIK vision correction surgeon is the best way to get your answer. Doing your research and reading reviews can help narrow down the top practices that may meet your expectations for medical care and overall patient experience. Even better - ask around to see if any of your friends have had LASIK surgery themselves! After considering all your options, schedule a complimentary LASIK consultation with our expert surgeon, Dr. Nunnery. We will ensure that you are meticulously evaluated, and fully educated, having all your questions answered so that you can then make the decision that is truly right for you.