Who is not suitable for laser eye surgery?

Laser eye surgery can be life-changing. But it’s not for everyone.

At My Eye Clinic in Gosforth, we take safety seriously. That’s why we carefully assess every patient before we recommend any procedure. Sometimes, the safest thing to do is say no.

In this post, we’ll explain:

• Who may not be suitable for laser eye surgery
• Why it matters
• What your options might be if you’re not a candidate

First, what does “suitable” mean?

Suitability means your eyes are healthy, stable, and within the right range for laser correction. It also means the procedure is likely to give you good results without causing harm.

That’s why we look at the whole picture before offering LASIK, LASEK, or TransPRK.

You might not be suitable if...

1. Your prescription is still changing

If your vision has changed a lot in the past year or two, we’ll recommend waiting. Surgery works best when your prescription is stable.

2. You have thin or irregular corneas

The laser removes a small amount of corneal tissue to reshape your eye. If your corneas are too thin or misshapen, it may not be safe.

3. You have eye health conditions

Conditions like:

• Keratoconus
• Glaucoma
• Severe dry eyes
• Certain retinal problems

4. You have general health conditions

Autoimmune diseases, uncontrolled diabetes, or conditions that affect healing can also affect your suitability. Pregnancy and breastfeeding can temporarily change your vision, so we’d usually recommend waiting.

5. You’re under 21 

The eyes are still changing in younger people. We recommend waiting until your vision is stable and your eyes are fully developed.

6. You have unrealistic expectations

Laser eye surgery can help you see clearly without glasses. But it won’t turn you into a superhero. Some people may still need reading glasses as they get older.

It’s important to know what the procedure can—and can’t—do.

So what happens if you’re not suitable?

First of all, it’s not the end of the road.

There are other options like:

• Lens replacement surgery (great for people over 50)
• Implantable contact lenses (for high prescriptions)

How do we decide?

We carry out a detailed suitability assessment, which includes:

• 3D mapping of your cornea
• Checking your eye health
• Reviewing your lifestyle and vision goals

We only recommend laser eye surgery if we’re confident it’s safe and effective for you.

Still curious if you might be suitable?

Take the self-test. It’s quick, free, and the best way to find out.