Qualifications for LASIK: Giving Patients Criteria for Becoming a LASIK Candidate

Is your eye care practice pushing to provide more patients with laser eye surgery by employing LASIK marketing strategies? You might already have plenty of people asking you to help them ditch their eyeglasses and contact lenses.

But do they meet the qualifications for LASIK? It’s your responsibility to find out.

Unfortunately, not everyone will be a good candidate for LASIK. Ensure you’re ready to communicate the criteria for becoming a good LASIK candidate.

What Are the Qualifications for LASIK Surgery?

A recent study found that LASIK surgery has been performed on 20 to 25 million eyes since the late 1990s. This might lead you to believe anyone can be a good candidate for LASIK.

However, those hoping to use LASIK to avoid wearing glasses or contact lenses may not always meet the necessary criteria. Discover more below.

Understanding the LASIK Qualifications

A good candidate for LASIK is anyone at least 18 years old with a stable vision correction prescription. They may be far-sighted up to +6.00 or near-sighted up to -12.00. They may also have an astigmatism level of up to 6.00 diopters.

Why These Qualifications Matter

A LASIK surgeon should only perform refractive surgery on good candidates. If a LASIK surgeon carries out the procedure on anyone else, it could lead to potential risks to their health. It also might not be effective and could lead to a person continuing to wear reading glasses or contacts.

Key Criteria for a Good LASIK Eye Surgery Candidate

Prepare to discuss the patient’s qualifications for the procedure during an initial LASIK evaluation. Below are the key criteria for a good candidate for laser eye surgery.

Age Requirements

The perfect candidate for LASIK is between the ages of 18 and 40.

It’s especially important for younger LASIK patients to maintain vision stability. This should prevent them from experiencing post-surgery vision changes that can impact their results from the surgery.

Stable Vision Prescription

No matter how old a good LASIK candidate is, they should have a stable prescription from their eye doctor for one to two years before refractive surgery. If your current prescription isn’t that old, you could still experience vision problems after LASIK surgery.

Prescription Range and Vision Quality

Eye doctors look for specific prescription numbers when determining good candidates for LASIK. Keep these numbers in mind:

• Farsightedness: Up to +6.00
• Nearsightedness: Up to -12.00
• Astigmatism level: Up to 6.00

Those with high prescriptions aren’t the best LASIK candidates. Extreme refractive errors may require alternative vision correction options, like photorefractive keratectomy (PRK) procedures.

Corneal Thickness and Shape

Patients with thicker corneas tend to get better results from LASIK surgery than those with thinner corneas.

An eye surgeon will use a femtosecond laser during LASIK surgery to reshape a patient’s cornea. If their cornea isn’t thick enough, it can impact the procedure’s safety and efficacy.

Overall Eye Health

A patient must have healthy eyes to meet the qualifications for LASIK. They cannot have major eye problems, such as cataracts or glaucoma.

Other General Health Considerations

Most patients who sign up for LASIK surgery are generally healthy. They don’t have health problems or take certain medications that could affect their LASIK eligibility.

Factors That May Disqualify You From LASIK Laser Eye Surgery

Certain factors may automatically disqualify a patient from seeking LASIK laser eye surgery. Discuss the following conditions with the patient to determine whether LASIK is the right procedure.

Autoimmune Diseases

Some autoimmune diseases, including lupus and rheumatoid arthritis, make it difficult for patients to heal from LASIK. Those with them won’t meet the qualifications for LASIK due to the risk of eye infections.

Pregnancy and Hormonal Changes

Pregnant women may experience vision issues that affect their eligibility for LASIK. They should wait until postpartum, when their hormones stabilize, to look into LASIK.

Dry Eye Syndrome

Almost 16 million Americans suffer from dry eye syndrome. LASIK causes dry eyes, so anyone with this syndrome should avoid laser eye surgery. Provide your practice’s patients with this dry eye questionnaire.

Corneal Diseases or Thin Corneas

LASIK might not yield results if a patient has a corneal disease like keratoconus or a condition that causes thin corneas. Eye doctors prefer patients with thicker corneas.

LASIK Requirements for Success: What To Expect From Your Consultation

Patients don’t always have realistic expectations for what will happen during a LASIK evaluation. Here is what they should expect.

Initial Consultation Overview

During an initial LASIK consultation, an eye doctor will perform pre-operative testing. This will include evaluating:

• Corneal thickness
• Pupil size
• Prescription stability

Comprehensive Eye Exam

If a patient meets the initial qualifications for LASIK, a comprehensive eye exam will take place. Eye surgeons will utilize new eye exam technology to further assess LASIK eligibility.

Patient Expectations

A top eye surgeon will prepare patients for LASIK by discussing what to expect after it. Patients may see improvements in their vision within a few months. They might also experience medical conditions like mild dry eye.

Alternative Options for Patients Who Don’t Meet the LASIK Criteria

If you have to tell patients they aren’t candidates for LASIK, they will likely be disappointed. Instead, discuss these possible alternatives.

Photorefractive Keratectomy (PRK) Procedure

This is another laser eye surgery procedure that involves reshaping the cornea. It’s used to treat myopia, hyperopia, and astigmatism.

Implantable Collamer Lens (ICL) Surgery

This is a solid eye surgery option for those with major eyesight issues caused by refractive errors. It involves placing an implantable collamer lens between a patient’s natural lens and iris.

Why Should Patients Explore Alternative Options?

Your practice should offer alternatives to cater to those not eligible for LASIK. These options help those with thin corneas and other eye conditions improve their vision without the usual risks.

How Weave Supports Optometry Practices That Provide LASIK Services

Weave specializes in supporting optometry practices that provide LASIK services. Learn about the tools we can supply.

Appointment Reminders and Follow-Ups

Weave’s appointment reminders and online scheduling tools streamline LASIK consultations and pre/post-operative appointments.

Patient Communication

Weave assists practices in communicating with patients about LASIK eligibility requirements. We also help them communicate with patients about post-procedure care through texting, phone calls, and email marketing.

Billing and Payments

Weave can simplify billing and payments for LASIK patients. We offer flexible payment plans and help handle insurance-related questions.

Let Your Patients Know About the Qualifications for LASIK

Going through LASIK is a time-consuming process for your practice and patients. Weave will make it more seamless, so you can quickly see whether patients meet the qualifications for LASIK. Watch the webinar “Lessons in Opening an Eye Care Practice” to gain deeper insights into starting and managing an eye care clinic while delivering quality care like LASIK.