Who is not suitable for LASIK?
LASIK surgery has helped millions reduce or eliminate their need for glasses and contacts. It’s quick, relatively painless, and often delivers impressive results in just a few days. But as amazing as it sounds, LASIK isn’t right for everyone. There are certain conditions and situations where the risks can outweigh the benefits; in those cases, doctors typically advise exploring other options.
If you’ve ever wondered whether LASIK is possible for you or someone you know, it’s just as important to consider who should not have it done. Eye health is never something to gamble with, and making the right choice starts with having all the facts.
Your eyes need to be stable before surgery
One of the first things doctors look at when evaluating a LASIK candidate is how stable their vision is. If your prescription has been changing frequently over the last year or two, that’s a sign your eyes are still shifting, and performing LASIK at that stage could lead to unsatisfactory results.
This is especially common in younger patients in their late teens or early twenties. While thinking about ditching glasses or contacts early is exciting, it’s better to wait until your prescription has stayed steady for at least a year. Otherwise, you might need a second procedure—or still rely on corrective lenses—not long after the first one.
Stability isn’t just about vision, either. Hormonal changes, certain medications, and even pregnancy can temporarily affect the shape of the cornea. In these cases, it is best to wait until your body and eyes return to their normal rhythm before considering surgery.
Certain eye conditions can disqualify you
Not every pair of eyes is a good match for LASIK. For example, people with very thin or irregularly shaped corneas are often ruled out because the procedure involves reshaping the cornea itself. LASIK can make things worse if the cornea doesn’t have enough thickness to work with, or its shape is already compromised (as in keratoconus).
Other eye health issues, like chronic dry eye or severe allergies, can also be red flags. LASIK can temporarily increase dryness; in people who already struggle with dry eyes, that discomfort could become more severe or even permanent. If you’re dealing with frequent eye irritation or inflammation, resolving those issues and conversing clearly with your eye doctor about potential risks is essential.
Additionally, people with a history of eye infections, scarring, or autoimmune diseases may need to approach LASIK with extra caution or avoid it altogether. The healing process is crucial to a successful outcome, and anything that could interfere with healing increases the chance of complications.
Overall health plays a bigger role than you might think
While LASIK is all about your eyes, overall health matters more than many people realize. Certain medical conditions, such as uncontrolled diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, or other autoimmune disorders, can affect how well your body heals after surgery. LASIK might not be the safest route if your immune system is compromised or your body tends to scar easily.
Your medication history is also something your surgeon will take into account. Some medications can slow healing or increase the risk of complications. Even mental health conditions, such as unrealistic expectations or body dysmorphia, are considered during the evaluation process. Surgery can’t fix every issue, and your mindset going into the procedure needs to be grounded in realistic outcomes.
Having a transparent conversation with your provider about your complete health history helps ensure that LASIK is effective and safe. Sometimes it’s better to wait, adjust your health first, or consider alternative vision correction options that may be better suited to your situation.
LASIK is not a one-size-fits-all solution
LASIK is an incredible advancement in vision correction, but it isn’t a fit for everyone. It’s not something to rush into or take lightly. People with specific eye characteristics, unstable prescriptions, or underlying health concerns need to proceed with caution or look at other options altogether.
The good news is that alternatives, like PRK, implantable lenses, or even refractive lens exchange, might be a better fit if LASIK isn’t in the cards. A qualified ophthalmologist will help guide you toward the safest and most effective path for your unique situation.
The bottom line? The best candidates for LASIK are those with healthy eyes, stable vision, and realistic expectations. If that’s not you right now, that’s okay. The goal is clear, long-lasting vision—and there’s more than one way to get there.