Who is a Good Candidate for LASIK Eye Surgery?

Are you tired of wearing contact lenses or glasses every day? Have you wondered whether you would be a good candidate for LASIK surgery to correct your vision?

LASIK, which stands for laser in-situ keratomileusis, has become a popular surgery to correct vision in people who are nearsighted, farsighted or have astigmatism. The surgery treats vision problems caused by refractive errors or when the eye does not refract or bend light properly. In essence, a laser is used to reshape your cornea so that light focuses on the retina in the back of your eye.

For you to see clearly, light rays must travel through your cornea and lens. The cornea and lens refract the light so it lands on the retina. The retina then turns light into signals that travel to your brain which become images. With refractive errors, the shape of your cornea or lens keeps light from bending properly and therefore, your vision is blurry.

The goal of LASIK is to correct your refractive error to improve your vision. LASIK surgery can reduce your need for eyeglasses or contact lenses and may even allow you to do without them completely.

Unfortunately, LASIK is not for everyone. There are certain criteria that make you a good candidate for this surgery, such as:

  • You should be 18 years or older (ideally 21 years old when vision is likely to stop changing)
  • Your eye prescription should not have changed much in the last year
  • Your refraction error must be one that can be treated with LASIK
  • Your corneas need to be thick enough and healthy; and
  • Your overall health must be good

Those who might NOT be candidates for LASIK could be those with:

  • Changing refractive error
  • Extreme levels of myopia, hyperopia or astigmatism
  • Severe dry eye
  • Cornea that is too thin
  • Cornea abrasions or disease
  • Keratoconus (cone-shaped cornea)
  • Advanced glaucoma
  • Cataract affecting vision
  • History of having certain eye infections
  • Diabetes that is not controlled well
  • Pregnant or nursing

The best way to know if you are a candidate for LASIK surgery is to meet with your ophthalmologist who can examine your eyes to determine whether LASIK is best for you.

Kevin King, MD, our refractive surgeon at Geneva Eye Clinic performs LASIK procedures. Call our office at 630.232.1282 to set up your consultation.

For the full article, visit the American Academy of Ophthalmology website.