Since you’re thinking about lasik surgery, you’re probably wondering if you are a good candidate for the procedure. There are a number of conditions or situations that can lessen the likelihood that you are a good candidate for lasik. Only a doctor can determine that for sure so one of the first things you’ll need to do is schedule a lasik consultation with your doctor. I spoke with my doctor pretty extensively about the types of things that would disqualify me from having lasik.
First, I wanted to talk about the practical, non-medical concerns. I am over eighteen and old enough where age would be a concern so we didn’t really discuss my age though it could be a factor for others. I admitted I was a bit scared of having any kind of surgery so we talked about my level of risk tolerance. He explained the risks and possible complications and talked about post surgical care. I asked enough questions and got as much information as possible so I could weigh the benefits against the risks. I also wanted to get a firm price as I had been saving for a while and wanted to make sure I could afford lasik. We talked about my job, for which my eyes are of course important, but neither of us felt that my position was a major consideration. That might not be true for everyone, such as those who work in jobs where public safety could be at risk, so check with your employer just in case. If you’re risk averse, unsure if you can afford lasik or work in certain jobs, lasik surgery may not be right for you.
In terms of medical concerns, we talked a great deal about my entire medical history, not just my eyesight. I was asked about glaucoma, any past eye injuries, whether I suffered from dry eye and we also discussed my prescription for eyeglasses. You basically need to have healthy eyes and a stable prescription that hasn’t changed in the recent past. Medical conditions mentioned were pregnancy, diabetes, arthritis, lupus and others. We also discussed the prescription drugs I was taking. If you suffer from any of these conditions among others, you may not be a good fit for lasik surgery. You also may not be a good candidate for lasik if your nearsightedness is extreme or if you have large pupils.
I cannot stress enough how important it is to talk to your doctor, be completely open and ask any questions you may have. Your lasik doctor will determine if you are a good candidate for lasik or not so be forthright and ask any questions you may have.