What medical conditions can make someone unsuitable for Lasik eye surgery?
2 weeks ago
I’m trying to understand whether I qualify for Lasik because I’ve heard many different criteria: age limits, stable prescription, corneal thickness requirements, and even tests for dryness. What exactly are the medical qualifications for Lasik? How does a doctor determine if a person’s cornea is healthy and thick enough, and what conditions or issues can make someone unsuitable for the procedure?
Answers (1)
To qualify for Lasik, doctors look at several key factors during a comprehensive pre-op exam to ensure safety and success. You generally need to be at least 18 (ideally 21+), have a stable prescription unchanged for 1-2 years, healthy eyes without active infections or injuries, sufficient corneal thickness (measured via pachymetry to leave enough tissue post-reshaping), normal pupil size, and good tear film to avoid dryness issues. Overall health matters too. No uncontrolled diabetes, autoimmune diseases, or pregnancy.
The doctor assesses corneal health with tests like topography (mapping shape for irregularities like keratoconus), thickness scans, refraction, and dry eye evaluation. Unsuitable conditions include thin corneas, severe dry eyes, large pupils causing night glare, unstable vision, or retinal problems. A skilled surgeon reviews these to confirm you’re a good fit, most active adults pass if screened properly.
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