The unfortunate truth about LASIK is that it is not a one size fits all procedure. LASIK isn’t safe for everyone and anyone to receive it. This can be due to many different reasons.
These reasons are often referred to as “LASIK candidacy requirements”. Because LASIK is an elective procedure, there are quite a few of them.
Wondering why you’re not a LASIK candidate? Keep reading to learn more about the most common factors for LASIK candidacy!
Age
There is no cap on how old you can be to receive LASIK. Senior citizens can have it done, which means it is never too late to improve your eyesight! It can, however, be too soon to get LASIK.
To qualify for LASIK, you will need to be at least 18 years old. Many people even wait until they are in their mid twenties before getting LASIK.
This is because your eyes fluctuate while you are still growing. Besides needing to be at least 18, you also need a stable prescription for at least a year before LASIK.
Pregnancy
Women who are pregnant, nursing, or are planning on becoming pregnant soon will have to wait for LASIK. Hormones from pregnancy often affect vision stability.
Even if you’re only nursing, you’ll need to hold off on getting LASIK. While nursing, you could pass chemicals from eye drops after LASIK to your infant.
You should only get LASIK if you’re sure you’re done having children. During every pregnancy, it’s likely that your eyes will change. Changing eyes make getting LASIK a waste of time and money.
General Health
You must be in good health to qualify for LASIK. Diseases like diabetes or autoimmune disorders make it difficult for you to heal.
This affects your eligibility for most surgeries, especially elective surgeries like LASIK. Diabetic? If your blood sugar is under control, you are likely still a good candidate for LASIK!
Eye Problems
There are a lot of issues related to your eyes that can prevent you from getting LASIK. Healing eye injuries, excessive scarring, or conditions like dry eye make LASIK unsafe.
This doesn’t mean that you’ll never be a good LASIK candidate! Clearing up diseases, fixing the disorder, or letting injuries heal is usually enough.
One interesting eye issue that many people don’t think about often is the thickness of your cornea. To have LASIK, your corneas need to be thick enough.
This is because a small amount of corneal tissue gets removed during LASIK. If your corneas are too thin, removing even a tiny amount of tissue can become dangerous.
If your corneas are too thin, an alternative surgery such as PRK or RLE might be better. These surgeries are as effective as LASIK, but you will need to consult with your doctor.
Like any surgery, you’ll need to be right for these procedures as well.
When it comes to getting LASIK, the only way to know if you’re a candidate is to have a LASIK screening. Schedule your LASIK consultation at Colorado Eye Consultants in Littleton or Evergreen today!
