LASIK Candidacy

If it seems like everyone is getting LASIK these days, that’s because LASIK has become more popular, accessible, and safer than ever. It’s likely that an increasing amount friends, family, and colleagues you encounter have proudly had their eyesight corrected. For many people, LASIK eye surgery has vastly improved their vision, allowing them to more fully experience the beauty of the world while enjoying higher functionality and quality of life.

Are You a LASIK Surgery Candidate? Determining Your Qualifications

Corrective surgery could alleviate or eliminate your dependence on glasses and contact lenses for good if you are an eligible LASIK candidate. Well over 700,000 Americans undergo LASIK treatment each year. Most people qualify for LASIK surgery, but unfortunately, not everyone is an ideal candidate. Ultimately, LASIK is only suitable for you if your eye surgeon has done a thorough examination and has determined that you will be a good LASIK surgery candidate. There are a variety of situations in which LASIK might not be right for you, and it’s essential to look into whether or not you are an eligible LASIK candidate so you can pursue the optimal path toward improving your vision. Remember, if you do not qualify for LASIK, we have other procedure options to enhance your eyesight. We’re here to help guide your journey at Dello Russo Laser Vision.

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What Can Disqualify Me as a LASIK Candidate?

Here, we will go over some reasons why you might not be eligible for LASIK, whether or not these conditions are temporary or permanent, and a few alternative treatments for people who are not LASIK eye surgery candidates. LASIK can be an excellent option for correcting your vision, but it may not be right for you in some cases. Several reasons may make you ineligible, including the following:

You have poor general health

People with a compromised immune response may not be eligible for LASIK eye surgery. The same holds true for people with certain health issues, including uncontrolled diabetes and collagen vascular conditions. During your initial consultation, your eye surgeon will ask about your current and past medical history to determine whether or not you are a LASIK surgery candidate. When speaking to your surgeon, you must thoroughly disclose your health conditions and concerns. You must also document your medical history, including any medications past or present, on the new patient forms provided to you. Doing so ensures that your eye doctor can decide whether you are a LASIK candidate or if other procedures might be more suitable for you.

You are pregnant

Pregnancy hormones can trigger changes to your current vision prescription. For this reason, pregnant women should wait until after they’ve given birth to find out if they are LASIK eye surgery candidates. A general rule of thumb is that pregnant women should wait at least three menstruation cycles after giving birth before considering LASIK surgery. Interestingly, some studies have even shown that lactating women (women providing their children with breast milk) may also experience instabilities in their prescription. As such, if you are breastfeeding or pumping, it may be advisable to wait until after you are finished to see if you’re a qualifying LASIK candidate. There are exceptions to the above, however, so it’s best to talk to an eye doctor after giving birth to determine whether you’re a LASIK surgery candidate now or should wait a while longer.

You are under 18 years of age

The vast majority of people are still growing at 18, and so are their eyes. Because of this, any nearsightedness, farsightedness, or astigmatism—which LASIK can correct—in children and teens is likely to change as they age. Because a young person’s eyesight will continue to develop and adjust as they grow older, those under 18 are not eligible for LASIK eye surgery candidates. For these reasons, LASIK is reserved for adults over 18.

You have a current eye disease or injury

You will likely not be a candidate for LASIK if you currently have any of the following eye diseases or injuries:

Keratoconus
Glaucoma
Corneal disease
Retinal and/or an optic nerve disease
Herpes zoster
Any soft tissue damage to the eye
Chronic dry eye syndrome
Your corneas are not very thick

^{Note: If your corneal thickness is less than 0.5mm, you may not be a LASIK surgery candidate, as the cornea needs to be thick enough to allow the laser to cut a flap. Only an eye doctor can determine the corneal thickness, which will be assessed during your LASIK consultation.}

The LASIK Surgery Procedure at Dello Russo Laser Vision

Rich's LASIK Testimonial at Dello Russo Laser Vision

I’m Not a LASIK Surgery Candidate. What Next?

If you’ve been to see an eye surgeon and have been told you’re not eligible to be a LASIK surgery candidate, don’t worry—other options are available. PRK—or photoreactive keratectomy, another laser surgery—and implants are viable options as alternatives to LASIK. Talk to your eye doctor about which LASIK alternatives might suit you. Remember that determining whether someone is a LASIK surgery candidate is entirely based on the individual, their eyes, and their eye health needs.

The only way to definitively determine if LASIK surgery is right for you is to make an appointment to see your eye doctor. At Dello Russo Laser Vision, we take the time to carefully assess each and every one of our LASIK candidates to ensure that we take proper care of you and your vision. Give us a call today to set up your free consultation. We look forward to helping you discover if you might be a qualified LASIK eye surgery candidate.

Why Choose Dello Russo Laser Vision for Your LASIK Procedure?

Dello Russo Laser Vision is one of the most celebrated LASIK centers in the Northeast, with our own world-class LASIK leaders at the helm. Our family practice is at the forefront of ophthalmological treatments—we have been pioneers in LASIK surgery since its inception in the 1990s. We have built a trusted reputation with our patients based on our experience, expertise, and quality of care from being in the ophthalmology business for over 40 years. As a family-run business that prioritizes giving our patients a friendly, warm, and professional experience, we make it our mission to ensure your total comfort throughout the entire LASIK process. Whether you’re scheduling your very first consultation to find out if you’re a LASIK surgery candidate or if you’re coming in for a follow-up appointment after receiving LASIK with us, we look forward to making your experience as smooth as possible.