Good LASIK Candidate? By William Goldstein on July 29, 2016

Good LASIK Candidate?

Perfect vision is something everybody hopes to have throughout their life may be impossible 
due to many factors including age, lifestyle, and disease. Common vision problems such as 
astigmatism, farsightedness, and nearsightedness hamper your ability to perceive objects 
without any visual aids. If you are suffering from any of these, a popular option for 
correcting it is LASIK.  It is important to know if you are a good LASIK candidate.
 
LASIK is a surgical procedure which improves your vision and removes the need for 
corrective lenses. It is fast-becoming a popular method of eye surgery with a successful track 
record. So, are you a suitable candidate to undergo LASIK surgery? Answer these questions 
to find out. 
 

 How old are you?

LASIK can be performed only if you are 18 years or older. Less than that and you have to 
carry on with glasses till you are eligible. CustomVue LASIK is approved in patients 21 years of age and older.
 

 Do you meet FDA guidelines?

There is a minimum requirement in terms of strength of the prescription which will put 
you on the list for surgery. FDA guidelines mandating the size of your pupils, thickness of 
the cornea, eye pressure, and health of the retina are examined in order to reduce risks 
during and after the procedure. Additionally, your prescription should be stable (without 
any changes) for at least a year. 
 

 How is your financial condition?

LASIK surgery can easily cost $2000 per eye, which means you are paying $4000 to have 
your vision corrected. LASIK surgeries are not covered by many insurance plans so you 
may have to pay it out of your pocket. If you are able to find a convenient financial plan 
to fund the surgery, then go ahead; else stick to your glasses or contacts. 
 

 Do you engage in contact sports regularly?

If you are active in wrestling, boxing, or martial arts where there is a fair amount of 
punches thrown at your face and eyes, LASIK is not a suitable choice. You might not be a good LASIK candidate, but other surgeries might be available such as ICL surgery.
 

 Are you afflicted with any disease or on any medication?

A number of diseases interfere with and delay the healing process after LASIK surgery. 
Serious conditions such as HIV, lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, diabetes, ocular herpes, 
infection, and even dry eyes can affect how fast your eyes can heal. Medications such as 
steroids also prevent the eyes from healing properly. The risk to undergo LASIK surgery 
is, therefore, high.
 
Consider the side effects, risks, and procedures involved in LASIK before opting for it. 
Wearing glasses or contacts can be a hassle but they may not be required all the time. If you 
need them rarely or for performing tasks such as reading, then LASIK is not necessary.

Related to This

Dr. William S. Goldstein

Laser Eye Care Center

William S. Goldstein, MD, has been practicing laser eye surgery since 1991. He was one of the first doctors to offer advanced eye care in all of Michigan and is a member of several prestigious organizations: 

  • American Board of Ophthalmology
  • American Academy of Ophthalmology
  • American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgeons

If you are ready to enhance your vision, call our office at (586) 323-2020 or request a consultation online.

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