Wednesday, May 11, 2016

3 Reasons Why You Can’t Get LASIK



Houston residents know that LASIK surgery can provide numerous benefits, and improve the quality of life for many people. Even so, not everyone is eligible for this procedure. If you are considering having LASIK, it's important to understand whether you might be a candidate for this surgery. Certain conditions can increase the risk of complications, and even the success factor of the surgery.

Age of the Patient

Among the most common reasons why a prospective patient might not be considered eligible for LASIK is age. Patients under the age of 18 are generally disqualified from having this procedure performed. This is due to the fact that refractive errors typically do not stabilize before an individual is an adult, meaning that teens are usually advised to wait until true vision has stabilized. Likewise, older adults may not be eligible for LASIK due to other health conditions or specific changes in vision that can cause the surgery to be ineffective.

Pregnancy and Nursing

Women who are pregnant, nursing, or who have plans to become pregnant may not be eligible for this surgery. New moms are advised to wait a few months before having LASIK performed. Pregnancy, childbirth, and nursing can all affect one's visual acuteness as a result of hormonal changes. Patients should have a contact lens or glasses prescription and refractive error that has been diagnosed as being stable a minimum of one year before undergoing this procedure.

Large Sized Pupils

Your Houston eye specialist will measure the size of your pupils during your consultation to determine whether you are a good candidate for this procedure. If you have large pupils, it could interfere with the results of the procedure, and prevent you from being a good candidate for surgery. Large pupils can cause certain side effects, such as halos, glare, double vision, and starbursts. Such effects can be debilitating for patients, and prevent driving at night.

These are just a few reasons why certain patients cannot have LASIK. To determine whether you are a good candidate, consult with your Houston eye doctor during an initial examination.

Click here to learn more about LASIK alternatives in Houston.