When is LASIK Not For Me?
You may not be a good candidate
for refractive surgery if:
- You have a disease or are on medications that may affect wound healing. Certain conditions, such as autoimmune diseases (e.g., lupus, rheumatoid arthritis), immunodeficiency states (e.g., HIV) and diabetes, and some medications (e.g., retinoic acid and steroids) may prevent proper healing after a refractive procedure.
- You actively participate in contact sports. You participate in boxing, wrestling, martial arts or other activities in which blows to the face and eyes are a normal occurrence.
- You are not an adult. Currently, no lasers are approved for LASIK on persons under the age of 18.
Precautions
The safety and effectiveness of refractive procedures has not been determined in patients with some diseases. Discuss with your doctor
if you have a history of any of the following:
- Herpes simplex or zoster (shingles) involving the eye area.
- Glaucoma, glaucoma suspect, or ocular hypertension.
- Eye diseases, such as uveitis/iritis (inflammations of the eye)
- Eye injuries or previous eye surgeries.
- Keratoconus
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