Are You Suitable for Laser Eye Surgery?

How do you answer the question “Are you suitable for laser eye surgery?”

The general answer is that if you are over 18, have an otherwise healthy eye, with good general health and your eye prescription has more or less been the same for about 2 years then you are most likely suitable for laser eye surgery. 

Laser eye surgery can correct short-sightedness, long-sightedness and astigmatism but it has limits and it will depend on various factors such as your prescription, age and what you are hoping to achieve.

More specifically, you will need a suitability examination from an experienced Ophthalmic Surgeon. The General Medical Council recommends that you see the surgeon who will personally perform your surgery before you have it, but be aware that some clinics do not offer this or charge extra for it.

We suggest you speak with an ophthalmic surgeon to ask questions and reassure yourself before committing to a suitability exam.

Suitability Examination

Your suitability examination is a very comprehensive eye exam and consultation in which your surgeon will assess your suitability for  treatment, and discuss the outcomes you hope for along with any concerns. When it is complete he or she will be able to then offer you the most appropriate treatment. The examination lasts at least one hour and sometimes up to two hours and includes various processes such as:

• A review of your personal medical history
• Assessment of your prescription
• Dilating your pupils with special drops
• Checking corneal thickness
• Checking tear production

Certain people will not be suitable for laser eye surgery and this includes those who have extremely high refractive errors. For example, if a patient has above average myopia or hyperopia (between -8 and -20 diopters). However, there may be other options available to them.

Other potentially unsuitable people are those with an eye disorder or an autoimmune issue such as Lupus or if they have a family history of keratoconus. This is because they may be more prone to complications with laser eye surgery so the risk/reward ratio can make other options more suitable. Diabetes may also fall into this category but not always.

In summary, a vision correction solution is available the vast majority of people although it may not always be laser eye surgery.

You can arrange a complimentary consultation with our senior ophthalmic surgeon to ask any further questions you may have.

Who is not suitable for laser eye surgery?

You shouldn’t have laser eye surgery if you: 

• Are pregnant or nursing your baby
• Have a lot of recent changes to your eyesight prescription
• Have thin or uneven corneas
• Have eye conditions such as glaucoma or very dry eyes
• Have other health issues such as diabetes, lupus, or rheumatoid arthritis

Print Or Share This Page (click the last icon to see more options)  [Sassy_Social_Share_Pro id="7"]