Understanding LASIK candidacy is essential before scheduling your procedure. Every year, around 800,000 Americans undergo laser vision correction surgeries like LASIK to reduce or eliminate their dependence on glasses or contact lenses. While LASIK is one of the most popular options—chosen by about 80% to 85% of laser eye surgery patients—not everyone qualifies.
LASIK is quick, low-risk, and painless. It also has a remarkably high success rate. According to a Food and Drug Administration survey, over 95% of LASIK patients were satisfied with their eyesight after the surgery. This popular procedure has become a household name thanks to enthusiastic marketing campaigns by national chains. You can find advertisements for LASIK in magazines, TV commercials, and radio shows. However, not everyone is an ideal candidate for LASIK. This guide explores the history of LASIK, debunks common myths, and discusses the qualifications you need for this surgery.
What Is LASIK and How Does It Work?
LASIK stands for Laser-Assisted In Situ Keratomileusis. This surgery uses a gently pulsing laser to reshape the cornea so light enters the eye at a different angle. This minor correction can eliminate imperfections in the eye and improve vision.
Eye doctors use LASIK to correct several common refractive errors, including:
- Myopia (nearsightedness) occurs when you have an abnormally long eyeball or a steeply curving cornea. As a result, incoming light rays focus in front of the retina, and faraway objects look blurry.
- Hyperopia (farsightedness) is characterized by a short eyeball or flat cornea. These structures cause light to focus behind the retina, making near objects look blurry.
- Astigmatism: This eye condition happens when the cornea has an uneven curvature, affecting both near and far vision.
LASIK for astigmatism, myopia, and hyperopia involves the same basic steps:
- Comprehensive Exam: You’ll receive an initial evaluation to determine if you’re a good candidate for LASIK. During this appointment, the eye doctor will measure the curve of your corneas and pupils. They’ll also take your medical history and check for active eye conditions like cataracts. These assessments help them evaluate your health and calculate how much corneal tissue they’ll remove during the procedure.
- Eye Numbing: Your surgeon and their team will comfortably position you in the operating room and apply numbing drops to your eye. You may also receive a mild sedative.
- Flap Creation: The LASIK surgeon uses an advanced laser to cut a flap in your cornea and raise it.
- Cornea Sculpting: A cutting laser removes tiny amounts of tissue from your cornea to sculpt it into a new shape.
- Flap Replacement: At the end of the procedure, the surgeon returns the corneal flap to its regular position.
The Evolution of LASIK Technology
Laser eye treatment has a long history. In 1885, Hjalmar Schiotz first proposed reshaping the cornea to correct vision conditions. In 1939, Tsutomu Sato began using radial keratotomy to flatten the cornea and correct myopia. LASIK technology continued to evolve steadily throughout the twentieth century as surgeons developed increasingly sophisticated lasers.
In 1999, LASIK surgery reached a critical milestone when it received approval from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The approved treatment reshaped the cornea with an excimer laser. Several years later, LASIK surgeons began using femtosecond laser technology to increase precision. In 2016, the FDA approved topography-guided ablation, which has better patient outcomes.
Key Factors Affecting LASIK Candidacy
Who is a candidate for LASIK? Eye doctors use several factors to determine whether this procedure suits you.
1. Age Considerations
According to the FDA, the LASIK surgery age limit is 18 and older. However, many eye doctors don’t recommend LASIK for people in their early 20s because their eyesight can still change quickly at this age.
Currently, there is no maximum age for LASIK candidates, but eye clinics like Southwest Eye Institute often recommend this procedure for people under 45.
2. Stable Vision Prescription
Your eyeglass or contact lens prescription should have been stable for at least one year before surgery. Significant recent changes may temporarily disqualify you.
3. Eye Health Conditions
Surgeons typically don’t recommend refractive eye surgery for people with certain eye conditions, including:
- Dry eye syndrome
- Eye infection
- Corneal disease
- Optic nerve diseases
- Severe cataracts
4. Corneal Thickness and Pupil Size
Your LASIK surgeon will measure the thickness of your cornea during your initial evaluation to ensure that you’ll have enough tissue left over after the procedure. They’ll also measure your pupils. People with large pupils may have more visual symptoms immediately following surgery, but they can still undergo LASIK successfully.
5. Overall Health
Uncontrolled diabetes, autoimmune diseases, or certain medications can affect healing and might impact your candidacy.
Common LASIK Myths Debunked
There are many myths and misconceptions about LASIK and other vision correction procedures, such as:
- “LASIK surgery is painful.” Your surgeon will place numbing drops in your eye so you won’t feel pain during laser eye surgery. After the procedure, you may experience mild discomfort, itching, or burning as your eyes heal.
- “LASIK results wears off.” This procedure permanently reshapes the surface of your eye, so it doesn’t fade away. However, it’s normal for vision to change over time due to the natural aging process or eye diseases. You may need additional laser eye surgery or reading glasses in the future.
- “LASIK is risky.” No medical procedure is risk-free, but complications occur in less than 1% of LASIK surgeries.
What If I’m Not a LASIK Candidate?
If LASIK candidacy criteria exclude you, don’t worry. Other vision correction surgeries are available, such as:
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PRK (Photorefractive Keratectomy): A surface laser procedure suitable for thinner corneas.
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SMILE (Small Incision Lenticule Extraction): A newer laser technique with minimal disruption.
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Refractive Lens Exchange: Often used for older adults or those with early cataracts.
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Implantable Collamer Lenses (ICL): A lens implanted inside the eye without removing corneal tissue.
At Southwest Eye Institute, we offer a range of these options and tailor treatments to your unique eyes and lifestyle.
Talk to an Expert Today and Get Your LASIK or LASIK Alternative
Our compassionate and skilled team will educate you about your options and help you choose the best treatment to improve your eye health. Call us today or schedule an appointment online.