Criteria for LASIK candidate
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A successful LASIK outcome is determined largely by whether you meet certain patient criteria and if laser eye surgery is right for you.
LASIK and PRK outcomes are almost always favorable; however, not everyone is a good candidate for vision correction surgery.
Below is a brief bullet list of criteria to consider.
- Your Eyes Must Be Healthy
If you have any condition that can affect how your eyes respond to surgery or heal afterwards, you must wait until that condition is resolved. Examples are severe dry eye syndrome , conjunctivitis (pink eye), infection and any type of eye injury.
If you have persistent dry eyes, where you do not produce enough tears to keep your eyes lubricated and healthy, LASIK surgery may aggravate this condition. Common symptoms of dry eyes include burning or stinging , a gritty sensation in the eye, reduced tolerance to wind, intermittent blurry vision , and even excessive tears in some cases. If you have some of these symptoms, be sure to discuss them with your doctor prior to surgery.
- Your Cornea Must Have Sufficient Thickness
- Your Pupils Must Not Be Overly Large
- Your Prescription Must Be Within Certain Limits - Results of LASIK surgery for the treatment of very high refractive errors are less predictable and may not be worth the cost and potential risks.
- You Must Be Over A Certain Age
- You Must Have Stable Vision For At Least A Year
- You Must Be In Good Health
- If You Are Pregnant, You Should Delay Surgery
- Do You Have Realistic Expectations?
It's important to tell your doctor all pertinent information relating to your health and medical history to ensure you achieve the best possible results.