Who Should Not Have LASIK Eye Surgery? 

LASIK is the answer to life without corrective lenses. The thought of not having to wear eyeglasses or contact lenses is something that many of us dream of. However, many people have been advised in the past that they’re not suitable for the procedure.

Thankfully, major advances in technology mean that LASIK is now suitable for a far wider demographic than 10, 5, or even a couple of years ago.

This means that it’s well worth exploring whether or not you might be able to take advantage. Of course, even with these leaps in technology, there are still some cases where it’s not advisable. But, even if you’re one of them, fear not… Because a talented laser vision correction surgeon may be able to perform a different technique that brings similar benefits.

Let’s Talk About Who Can, Rather than Who Should Not Have LASIK Eye Surgery

• Yes, you most likely can have LASIK
• Who should not have LASIK eye surgery and the possible alternatives?

Yes, you most likely can have LASIK

Happily, most people with refractive errors who’re over 18 years are suitable candidates. The process is extremely effective and can be used to treat shortsightedness, astigmatism, and (in certain cases) longsightedness.

If you tick the following boxes, then LASIK may well be the right treatment for you and the freedom from eyeglasses or contact lenses:

• You’re over 18. 
• You’ve had a stable prescription for at least two years.
• You don’t have any history of eye disease (such as those that affect the cornea, severe dry eye, macular degeneration, glaucoma, or diabetic retinopathy).
• Your refractive errors aren’t overly severe. Your surgeon will advise the parameters within which LASIK is allowed to be performed.
• You’re not pregnant or nursing.
• You don’t have any current eye infections.

It’s also important to understand that the results of LASIK aren’t necessarily permanent. Age-related vision degeneration will still happen, so you might require prescription lenses later in life.

Who should not have Lasik eye surgery and the possible alternatives?

OK, so there are some reasons that mean LASIK isn’t suitable or, if it is, you’ll need to take advice from a LASIK specialist surgeon. 

• If you suffer from certain underlying health conditions, such as diabetes, autoimmune conditions, or anything that means your body doesn’t heal correctly.
• You’ve had a previous eye injury or eye surgery.
• Your vision is changing—this is highly likely until your mid-twenties, so don’t be disappointed if you’re told to wait awhile.
• You have very thin corneas.

However, even if you’re advised that you’re not a suitable candidate for LASIK, there may well be other options. These include:

• PRK: This stands for photorefractive keratectomy and is an alternative type of laser treatment. Because it doesn’t involve cutting the cornea, it can often be performed on those with thin corneas.
• Refractive lens exchange: This is similar to a cataract operation, in that your natural lens is removed and replaced by an intraocular lens (IOL). It’s a great choice for those who aren’t suitable for other types of laser eye surgery or for those who’re 50+ and have been told they’ve got early signs of cataracts.
• ICL: Or, to give it its correct name, implantable collamer lens. This is used to treat those with a very high prescription that’s unsuitable for laser vision correction. A contact lens is implanted in front of the natural lens and behind the iris. This corrects the refractive error.

As you can see, there are many alternatives if you’re unlucky enough to not be suitable for LASIK. The key to getting the right treatment for you is to partner with a specialist who deals with more complex cases. Do that, and you really can experience the joy of living without eyeglasses or contacts—so, what are you waiting for…?

Been Told You Should Not have LASIK Eye Surgery? Contact Us Today

The Modern Cataract Surgery Clinic is the specialized arm of the West Boca Eye Center that (surprise surprise) treats cataracts. But we’re also world leaders in laser vision correction.

We offer the latest techniques, and our expertise means that we can often bring cutting-edge treatment to those who’ve been deemed unsuitable for laser treatment in the past.

Don’t waste another minute. Visit https://www.moderncataractsurgery.com for more information and call us today to discuss your options.