Laser vision correction, or LASIK, is a type of refractive surgery that can help patients get rid of eyeglasses and contact lenses, but the surgery may not be right for everybody. If you’ve been considering LASIK, read on to learn whether you would be a candidate and what you need to consider as you weight your decision to undergo surgery.

• You are 18 years old or older. Your vision can change throughout your youth and doesn’t stabilize until you reach adult age. LASIK is FDA-approved for people age 18 and older who have achieved ocular maturity.
• You have a stable prescription, which means your prescription hasn’t changed for at least two consecutive years.
• You should be generally healthy, free of diseases, injuries and infections.
• You do not have pink eye, dry eye or another eye condition. These will need to be resolved prior to LASIK surgery.
• You are not pregnant or nursing. Hormonal fluctuations can affect vision stability, so it’s important to wait at least three months after you’ve stopped nursing before considering surgery.
• If you have a condition such as cataracts, diabetes, autoimmune diseases such as lupus or rheumatoid arthritis, LASIK may not be a good choice for you.
• Certain medications such as corticosteroids and acne medications can affect the healing process, so you will need to share what medications you’re taking when you consult with your doctor.
• If your cornea is too thin or misshapen, or if you have glaucoma or corneal scarring, you may not be a candidate for surgery.
• If you have a positive outlook and realistic expectations for vision correction, then you may be a good candidate for LASIK.
• You understand and you are OK with the fact that you may need to wear glasses when reading or driving at night.

If you want to learn more about laser vision correction and see if it’s right for you, schedule a consultation by calling Maehara Eye Surgery & Laser at 808.955.3937.