LASIK Eye Surgery

LASIK Eye Surgery in India - Eligibility Criteria and Who Can Get LASIK?

LASIK is a popular procedure for correcting vision. This short explains the general criteria that help a surgeon decide if it is a suitable option for you.

General requirements for LASIK

To be considered for LASIK, you generally need to meet several criteria.

• Age. You are usually required to be over 18, and sometimes over 21. This is because your eye prescription can continue to change into your early twenties.
• Stable prescription. Your glasses or contact lens prescription should be stable for at least one year before the procedure.
• Good general health. Certain medical conditions, such as uncontrolled diabetes or autoimmune diseases, may affect the healing process and make LASIK unsuitable.
• Not pregnant or breastfeeding. Hormonal changes during this time can affect your vision and the stability of your prescription.

Specific eye health criteria

A specialist will also assess the health and structure of your eyes.

• Corneal thickness. Your cornea must be thick enough to allow for the creation of a flap and the removal of tissue. This is a key safety factor.
• Pupil size. People with very large pupils may have a higher risk of side effects like glare or halos around lights, especially at night.
• Refractive error. Your prescription must be within the range that can be safely and effectively treated with LASIK.
• No eye disease. You should not have conditions such as advanced glaucoma, cataracts, corneal disease, or severe dry eye syndrome.

The pre-operative evaluation

A comprehensive eye examination is needed to confirm if you are a good candidate.

• Corneal mapping. A test called topography creates a detailed map of your cornea's surface to check for irregularities.
• Measuring thickness. Pachymetry is a simple and painless test used to measure the thickness of your cornea.
• Dry eye testing. The surgeon will assess the quality and quantity of your tears, as LASIK can sometimes worsen dry eye symptoms.

Whether LASIK is the right choice for you depends on your individual circumstances. A final decision can only be made after a refractive surgeon has reviewed your medical history and the results of a comprehensive eye examination.