LASIK Candidacy Requirements

Laser-assisted in situ keratomileusis (LASIK) is a life-changing procedure that can significantly improve your visual acuity. Unfortunately, some people can’t go through the procedure.

In this article, we’ll discuss the candidacy requirements for LASIK and who shouldn’t get it. These strict screening guidelines exist to protect your vision quality and ensure lasting results.

What are the LASIK Candidacy Requirements?

Several factors influence LASIK candidacy. For instance, LASIK is most successful when your prescription is stable and your eyes have fully matured. 

Here’s a full breakdown of LASIK’s candidacy requirements:

• Age. You must be at least 18 to be eligible for the procedure. Most doctors recommend waiting until 21.
• Stable vision. Your prescription should be the same for at least a year. Fluctuating vision makes it impossible to know what to correct with LASIK.
• Prescription. Generally, you should be within -12.00 diopters for nearsightedness, +6.00 diopters for farsightedness, and up to about 6.00 diopters of astigmatism. This varies depending on your surgeon’s evaluation.
• Cornea thickness. Your cornea needs to be thick enough for the procedure. If it’s too thin, LASIK can increase the risk of corneal ectasia and long-term vision loss.
• Eye health. Your eyes need to be in good condition, so you shouldn't get LASIK if you have unmanaged dry eye or uncontrolled or advanced glaucoma.
• Overall health. Certain health conditions, like diabetes, can affect your eyes and impede recovery.
• Pupil size. Large pupils may increase the risk of side effects.
• Pregnancy and nursing. The hormonal changes during this period can affect your eye shape and healing.

Health Conditions and Medications

Certain systemic health conditions and medications may impact healing and LASIK outcomes.

• Autoimmune diseases. Conditions like rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, or Sjögren’s syndrome can impair healing. LASIK may still be possible if your condition is mild and well-controlled.
• Diabetes. Poorly controlled diabetes can complicate healing. Patients must demonstrate stable, controlled blood sugar levels.
• Medications. Drugs like isotretinoin (Accutane), systemic steroids, or immunosuppressants can delay healing or increase infection risks. Inform your doctor about all medications during consultation.

Lifestyle And Work Factors

Aside from your general and eye health, your daily activities and profession can influence the best type of vision correction for your lifestyle:

• Contact sports. Athletes involved in high-impact sports often benefit from procedures like PRK or SMILE, as these methods reduce the risk of flap displacement.
• Military service. Military personnel frequently undergo flapless procedures like PRK or SMILE to avoid risks during rigorous activities. Check specific military branch policies for guidance.
• Night driving. People who drive extensively at night require careful pupil and contrast sensitivity testing to prevent postoperative visual issues like halos or glare.
• Highly regulated professions. Pilots and others needing precise vision standards require careful consideration to ensure stable postoperative vision aligns with career safety regulations.

LASIK Alternatives for When You Don’t Qualify

If LASIK isn't the best fit for you, several effective alternative options can still offer excellent vision correction. The most common alternatives are glasses and contact lenses.

Surgical alternatives include:

What are the Side Effects of LASIK?

While LASIK is safe and effective, there are still potential risks and side effects. For instance, people with more extreme prescriptions may face higher risks such as chronic dry eyes, nighttime halos, and regression of vision improvements.

Meanwhile, individuals with large pupils can experience increased halos or glare, especially when driving at night.

Other potential side effects include:

• Dry eye syndrome. Usually temporary, but occasionally chronic
• Vision regression. Partial loss of corrected vision over time
• Corneal ectasia. Rare weakening and bulging of the cornea, especially if safety guidelines aren't closely followed
• Flap complications. Very rare, but can occur due to injury or incomplete healing
• Overcorrection and undercorrection. Occurs when the laser removes too much or too little corneal tissue, leaving you slightly farsighted, nearsighted, or with residual astigmatism
• Subconjunctival hemorrhage. A small, harmless blood spot on the white of the eye caused by broken blood vessels during surgery, which usually clears on its own in one to two weeks
• Infection. A rare but serious complication where bacteria enter the eye after surgery, potentially causing pain, redness, and vision changes that require prompt treatment

What To Expect From LASIK

Before the procedure, the surgeon will give you numbing eye drops and maybe a sedative to help you relax. They’ll also clean around your eye carefully before starting the procedure.

During the procedure, the surgeon will create a thin, hinged flap in the cornea. The flap is then lifted to expose the inner layers of the cornea. 

An excimer laser removes microscopic amounts of corneal tissue to reshape the cornea. This process corrects refractive errors, and the laser is programmed based on your specific prescription.

Once the procedure is complete, the flap is laid back into place. Because the flap adheres naturally, there’s no need for stitches. 

What to Expect After the Procedure

The procedure is usually quick and most patients report little or no pain; it takes about 15 minutes per eye. After the procedure, you can expect mild discomfort, dryness, or irritation immediately after surgery. 

Doctors recommend rest and lubricating eye drops to ease healing. Most patients resume normal activities within a day or two, but should avoid strenuous activities and swimming for a few weeks to prevent infection or injury.

LASIK Aftercare Tips

Make sure you have someone to take you home after the procedure. Once you get home, it’s important to rest for at least 2 to 4 hours. 

Take a nap to prevent blinking and use prescription eye drops or artificial tears. This helps reduce dryness, prevent infection, and promote healing. 

Here are other things to do while you’re healing:

• Avoid rubbing your eyes for at least a month.
• Avoid getting water, soap, or shampoo in your eyes for the first week.
• Avoid swimming, hot tubs, and similar water exposure for at least 1 month (up to 1 to 2 months per FDA), and follow your surgeon’s specific timeline.
• Don’t wear makeup for one week.
• Avoid dusty environments.
• Wear sunglasses when going outside to protect your eyes from UV light.
• Attend follow-up appointments with your doctor.

Although you’ll start to notice visual improvements immediately, it will take several months for your eyes to fully stabilize. However, you can return to work a few days after the surgery if your doctor approves.