An optometrist explains: when is laser surgery not an option?

There are a number of contraindications to LASIK surgery, i.e. situations where laser surgery is not recommended or even not permitted.

Please note! This is one of the most important reasons why you should choose your laser surgeon carefully. An experienced specialist will asses the condition of your eyes thoroughly and help you avoid the risks.

Optometrist Gerli Jones explains when LASIK surgery is not a suitable option:

1. Cornea too thinIf the cornea is less than 480 µm in thickness, surgery is contraindicated.
2. Age under 18Vision has not yet stabilised in young people. Generally, laser surgery is not performed after the age of 45 because by then you may need reading glasses. In this case (after age 45), fitting multifocal intraocular lenses may be considered.
3. Keratoconus or other corneal ectasia conditionsThese conditions mean that the cornea is already too thin, weak or stretched out, making it unsuitable for laser surgery.
4. Active eye infectionFor example, herpes simplex keratitis, uveitis, blepharitis, or conjunctivitis.
5. Acute systemic autoimmune diseaseFor example, rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, or Sjogren’s syndrome. These diseases can cause eye inflammation and slow down the healing of the eye’s surface after surgery. In the case of autoimmune diseases, superficial contact-free surgeries should be avoided due to delayed epithelialisation.
6. Pregnancy and breastfeedingHormonal changes may affect vision stability vision and limit the use of post-operative eye medications.
7. Unstable refractionSurgery is contraindicated if vision has changed by more than one dioptre in the last two years. In this case, it is recommended to have another check-up in one year.

A thorough pre-operative examination will give a complete overview of your eye health and help determine whether laser surgery is an option, and if so, which one.