Why Are Certain People Not Candidates for Lasik Surgery?

Lasik eye surgery is a method of surgical vision correction. Lasik surgery changes the shape of the cornea in your eye. The cornea is a covering on the eye that is clear. Lasik surgery reduces the need to wear contact lenses or eyeglasses. Lasik stands for laser in-situ keratomileusis. Most people are candidates for Lasik surgery, but there are some stipulations.

Scope of Error

• Lasik eye surgery can only treat people if you have refractive errors of nearsightedness up to -12 D, astigmatism up to 6 D and farsightedness up to +6 D. Doctors do not have the equipment to treat any errors over the specified amounts.

Lifestyle

• You are not a candidate for Lasik surgery if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, because the laser can cause health effects. If you have ocular herpes (herpes of the eye), you are not eligible to receive Lasik surgery within one year of diagnosis.

Diseases

• Some diseases can prevent you from being a candidate for Lasik surgery. These include cataracts, advanced glaucoma and corneal diseases, because they endanger your vision.

Age

• Being under the age of 18 years old may stop you from being a candidate for Lasik surgery, because you may have unstable vision.

Medications

• You are not a candidate for Lasik eye surgery if you take medications for autoimmune diseases or steroids, because these types of medications can delay your healing.