Is LASIK surgery right for you?

As people grow tired of wearing eyeglasses or contact lenses, they often seek permanent vision correction. As the procedure of choice, Laser-Assisted In-Situ Keratomileusis (LASIK) offers patients the chance to get 20/20 vision or better with minimal discomfort and a quick recovery time. While LASIK has a great track record with rare complications, there are many things to consider and discuss with your doctor to determine whether surgery is right for you. Here are some criteria for a good outcome and some conditions that may have less predictable outcomes:

People who do well with LASIK meet the following criteria:

  • Are between the ages of 20 and 55. People must be over the age of 18 before considering LASIK. This is because if you have nearsightedness, your vision may continue to change during the teenage years or into adulthood.
  • Are in good medical health
  • Have nearsightedness up to about -9.00 with or without astigmatism up to about -5.00
  • Have corneas with normal thickness and curvature.
  • Have stable vision. Pregnancy, breastfeeding, steroid drugs and other medications and conditions can cause temporary fluctuations in your vision.

People who may have less predictable outcomes have certain medical conditions such as:

  • A disease or condition that affects the immune system. Rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, HIV and other autoimmune disorders impair your ability to heal and make you more prone to infections.
  • Diabetes
  • Depression
  • Chronic pain conditions, including migraine, fibromyalgia and irritable bowel syndrome
  • The need for an immunosuppressive medication

Conditions that may result in complications or poor outcomes from LASIK surgery include:

  • Keratoconus or some other corneal pathology. If you have this disorder that results in progressive thinning of the cornea, you may not have good outcomes with surgery.
  • Eye injuries or lid disorders
  • Dry eyes, which can get worse with LASIK surgery
  • Glaucoma, because LASIK can increase eye pressure and make the condition worse
  • Cataracts

If you’ve been thinking about LASIK surgery to correct your vision, contact Longwood Eye & LASIK Center today by calling (800) 676-5050 and setting up a consultation at one of our several locations.

CALL 1-855-286-2020 OR CONTACT US BELOW TO SCHEDULE A CONSULTATION TODAY!

For Urgent/Problem Appointments, please call the office and do not submit an online form request

MM slash DD slash YYYY
This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

* All indicated fields must be completed.
Please include non-medical questions and correspondence only.

Accessibility Toolbar