Debunking the Myth That LASIK is for Everyone
A common LASIK misconception is that anyone who wears glasses or contacts can have the procedure. While LASIK does help people who wear glasses and contacts see clearly without them, simply wearing glasses or contact lenses does not automatically mean that LASIK is the right procedure for you.
Patients must meet certain criteria to be considered a LASIK eye surgery candidate. This is why everyone’s LASIK journey at Wilmington Eye begins with a comprehensive consultation to determine eligibility. Plus, we offer multiple solutions to help all patients, including those who don’t qualify for LASIK.
LASIK is one of the most popular elective procedures and can permanently correct your vision to 20/20 or better. So, let’s further discuss the common misconception that “LASIK is for everyone” and answer the question: Do I qualify for LASIK?
The Qualifications for LASIK
There are general qualifications a person must meet to be considered for LASIK. If you’re wondering if LASIK is safe for you, here are some general qualifiers we look for in a LASIK eye surgery candidate:
- Proper age (usually 21+)
- A stable eye prescription
- Good corneal health
- No dry eye symptoms
- The right refractive error
LASIK is an ideal solution for specific types of refractive errors; myopia, hyperopia, and astigmatism. If you do not have one of these refractive errors, then LASIK is likely not for you.
Myopia
Myopia, often called nearsightedness, is when a patient can see near objects clearly but far away objects appear blurry. This refractive error can be corrected with LASIK.
Hyperopia
Hyperopia, often called farsightedness, is when a patient can see far away objects clearly but objects close up appear blurry. This refractive error can sometimes be corrected with LASIK.
Astigmatism
Astigmatism occurs when the curvature of the cornea is uneven and is shaped more like a football than a baseball. This creates multiple focal points in the eye, making it difficult to focus on objects clearly. Astigmatism can be corrected with LASIK.
Individuals Who May Not Be Eligible for LASIK
Types of refractive errors LASIK cannot correct include presbyopia (age-related farsightedness), moderate to high myopia and mild to high hyperopia. In addition to refractive error, certain eye conditions can be considered a contraindication of LASIK or suggest alternative procedures as a better option with less risk involved. Below are a few patient types who may not qualify for LASIK or would require additional screening to determine eligibility.
You are under 21.
Many people wonder when you can get LASIK eye surgery. LASIK is FDA-approved for qualifying patients over the age of 18, however those under 21 are less likely to have a stable prescription. Until we reach adulthood, our eyes are susceptible to change. LASIK cannot prevent your eyes from changing in the future. This is why our surgeons generally wait until patients are over 21 to perform LASIK.
Your eye prescription has changed recently.
If your eye prescription fluctuates or has changed within the past twelve months, you are less likely to have optimal surgical results from LASIK. We want to ensure our patients receive the best results possible, which can mean waiting until a stable prescription is achieved for at least twelve months.
You have other vision problems.
Some eye conditions can have an impact on your LASIK results and recovery. Depending on your individual circumstances, you may still be a LASIK eye surgery candidate or be eligible for other vision correction procedures. Patients with certain conditions such as glaucoma, macular degeneration, and Fuchs’ Dystrophy will not qualify for LASIK.
You have persistent dry eye.
Due to the nature of LASIK, patients who experience persistent dry eye are generally not considered candidates for LASIK. However, your surgeon may recommend dry eye treatments such as iLux or over-the-counter drops to address moderate dry eye symptoms prior to LASIK. Your surgeon may also recommend PRK or EVO ICL instead of LASIK.
You are pregnant or breastfeeding.
To ensure your safety, we do not perform LASIK while a patient is pregnant or breastfeeding. We also do not recommend having a LASIK consultation during this time. The changes your body is going through will also affect your vision and can lead to inaccurate measurements and false indications. However, our LASIK team can follow up with you at a later time to get your consultation scheduled when it’s appropriate.
You have a pre-existing medical condition.
A pre-existing medical condition doesn’t automatically disqualify you as a LASIK eye surgery candidate, but it does emphasize the importance of a thorough evaluation process. Contact our LASIK team or schedule a pre-screening to see if your specific medical condition prevents you from having laser eye surgery.
You wear glasses for reading.
If you wear glasses for reading, you likely have Presbyopia, or age-related farsightedness. Presbyopia is not one of the refractive errors LASIK can correct. Patients within this category are more likely to have successful results from alternative procedures like Refractive Lens Exchange or waiting until it is time for cataract surgery and selecting a premium lens option.
You have been told you have cataracts.
LASIK is often confused with cataract surgery. Although both are types of refractive surgery that use lasers, they each address different parts of the eye. LASIK reshapes the cornea while cataract surgery involves the lens of the eye. Both procedures improve your vision in different ways and can help you become less dependent on glasses and contacts. If you have been told you have cataracts, ask your provider about cataract surgery and a premium lens option to improve your vision and reduce dependence on glasses and contacts.
Additional Questions You Might Have
Some of the above characteristics are not necessarily an immediate disqualification. However, to avoid less-than-optimal outcomes our team ensures that every LASIK patient at Wilmington Eye is truly a qualified candidate for the procedure. Contact our team of LASIK experts to schedule a pre-screening or consultation to fully evaluate your eligibility for laser eye surgery.
LASIK Pre-Screening vs. Consultation
To truly determine a person’s eligibility for LASIK, we conduct an extensive and comprehensive evaluation that ensures only those who will benefit from the procedure and receive optimal results have LASIK eye surgery. A full consultation is required for any patient who proceeds with LASIK eye surgery. A pre-screening is not required, but many patients schedule one before committing to a full consultation.
LASIK Pre-screenings are free and much quicker than a consultation. If you only have 30 minutes to spare, then a pre-screening is the way to go. From there, we can determine if you meet some of the initial criteria for LASIK and decide if a follow-up consultation makes sense for you. The scans performed during a pre-screening can vary depending on your specific needs.
LASIK Consultations include an in-depth analysis of your corneal health, thickness, and shape. Various scans and imaging are done to create a 3D mapping of your cornea and achieve precise measurements of your eye, inside and out. Every LASIK patient at Wilmington Eye must attend a full consultation for our team to develop a completely customized surgical plan to ensure the most successful outcome possible.
What if I don’t qualify for LASIK?
If LASIK is not suitable for your vision requirements, that doesn’t mean your chance of living glasses or contacts free are gone. As the leader in vision correction, we offer more than just LASIK, including some of the most advanced forms of vision correction to suit a wide range of patients. And we have surgeons who specialize in some of these proven alternatives to LASIK eye surgery.
The best way to determine your LASIK eligibility is to schedule a pre-screening or consultation. Take the first step towards visual freedom and contact us today!