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Vision
Care Center | What
is LASIK?| When is
LASIK not for me?
LASIK
Surgery Checklist | Glossary
When is LASIK not for
me?
You are probably NOT a good candidate for refractive surgery if:
 You are not a risk taker.
Certain complications are unavoidable in a percentage of patients,
and there are no long-term data available for current procedures.
It will jeopardize your
career. Some jobs prohibit certain refractive procedures. Be sure to
check with your employer/professional society/military service
before undergoing any procedure.
Cost is an issue. Most
medical insurance will not pay for refractive surgery. Although the
cost is coming down, it is still significant.
You required a change in
your contact lens or glasses prescription in the past year. This is
called refractive instability. Patients who are:
In their early 20s or
younger,
Whose hormones are
fluctuating due to disease such as diabetes,
Who are pregnant or
breastfeeding, or
Who are taking medications
that may cause fluctuations in vision, are
more likely to have refractive instability and should discuss the
possible additional risks with their doctor.
You have a disease or are
on medications that may affect wound healing. Certain conditions,
such as autoimmune diseases (e.g., lupus, rheumatoid arthritis),
immunodeficiency states (e.g., HIV) and diabetes, and some
medications (e.g., retinoic acid and steroids) may prevent proper
healing after a refractive procedure.
You actively participate in
contact sports. You participate in boxing, wrestling, martial arts
or other activities in which blows to the face and eyes are a normal
occurrence.
You are not an adult.
Currently, no lasers are approved for LASIK on persons under the age
of 18.
Precautions
The safety and effectiveness of refractive procedures has not
been determined in patients with some diseases. Discuss with your
doctor if you have a history of any of the following:
Herpes simplex or Herpes
zoster (shingles) involving the eye area.
Glaucoma, glaucoma suspect,
or ocular hypertension.
Eye diseases, such as
uveitis/iritis (inflammations of the eye).
Eye injuries or previous
eye surgeries.
Keratoconus
Other Risk Factors
Your doctor should screen you for the following conditions or
indicators of risk:
Blepharitis.
Inflammation of the eyelids with crusting of the eyelashes, that may
increase the risk of infection or inflammation of the cornea after
LASIK.
Large pupils.
Make sure this evaluation is done in a dark room. Younger patients
and patients on certain medications may be prone to having large
pupils under dim lighting conditions. This can cause symptoms such
as glare, halos, starbursts, and ghost images (double vision) after
surgery. In some patients these symptoms may be debilitating. For
example, a patient may no longer be able to drive a car at night or
in certain weather conditions, such as fog.
Thin Corneas. The
cornea is the thin clear covering of the eye that is over the iris,
the colored part of the eye. Most refractive procedures change the
eye’s focusing power by reshaping the cornea (for example, by
removing tissue). Performing a refractive procedure on a cornea that
is too thin may result in blinding complications.
Previous refractive
surgery (e.g., RK, PRK, LASIK). Additional refractive surgery
may not be recommended. The decision to have additional refractive
surgery must be made in consultation with your doctor after careful
consideration of your unique situation.
Dry Eyes. LASIK
surgery tends to aggravate this condition.
Source: U.S. FDA Center for
Devices and Radiological Health
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Note: The above information is intended to supplement, not substitute
for, the expertise and judgment of your physician, pharmacist, or other
healthcare professional. It is not intended to diagnose a health
condition, but it can be used as a guide to help you decide if you
should seek professional treatment or to help you learn more about your
condition once it has been diagnosed.
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