Nearsightedness or myopia is a very common eye problem that affects millions of people worldwide. It’s a refractive error that makes it difficult for individuals to see things clearly at a distance.

While spectacles and contact lenses have been the traditional treatment for this eye condition, laser eye surgery has gained immense popularity in recent years.

However, laser eye surgery is not for everyone. The procedure is not suited for individuals who have specific eye conditions or other health problems. Here are some of the groups of people who may not be good candidates for laser eye surgery for myopia:.

1. Younger individuals

While laser eye surgery is suitable for most adults, it’s usually not recommended for individuals below 18 years of age. This is because younger people’s eyes are still developing.

Their eye structures may not have stabilized yet, and refractive errors may change over time. It’s best to wait until the vision has stabilized before undergoing any corrective procedure.

2. Pregnant and breastfeeding women

Pregnant and breastfeeding women may experience fluctuations in their vision due to hormonal changes. It’s best to wait until after the pregnancy and breastfeeding period before undergoing laser eye surgery.

Hormonal changes can have adverse effects on the eye’s healing process post-surgery.

3. Individuals with thin corneas

The cornea is the outermost layer of the eye and is responsible for bending light rays into the eye. LASIK eye surgery involves reshaping the cornea to correct nearsightedness.

Individuals with thin corneas may not have enough corneal tissue to reshape effectively. Subsequently, there will be a higher risk of severe post-surgery complications, loss of visual acuity, and sometimes permanent visual impairment.

4. Individuals with dry eyes

Dry eye syndrome is characterized by an inadequate level of tears that lubricates the surface of the eye. Laser eye surgery can worsen dry eyes as the procedure can cause temporary disruption to tear production.

Individuals with dry eyes have a greater risk of developing complications such as infection, slow healing, and visual disturbances.

5. Individuals with severe eye conditions/infections

Certain eye conditions, such as glaucoma, cataracts, keratoconus, diabetic retinopathy, and other infections such as herpes simplex can exclude individuals from conforming candidates for laser refractive surgery.

Eye conditions that compromise the structure and health of the eye may hinder patients from regaining their vision.

Related Article LASIK: Who may not be eligible?

6. Individuals with an unstable prescription

People who have eye problems that lead to a change in their prescription regularly may find laser eye surgery not useful. Laser eye surgery corrects refractive errors by customizing the corneal tissue.

But once the procedure is done, it’s not possible to re-correct the eye’s vision if the symptoms reappear. Individuals with unstable prescriptions may benefit from other treatments like contact lenses or glasses.

7. Individuals with unrealistic expectations

Laser eye surgery can lead to significant visual improvement and increased comfort for people with nearsightedness, but it does not always result in perfect vision. Patients undergoing the procedure must have realistic expectations.

Additionally, patients must have a good understanding of the process and know the risks and possible complications.

8. Individuals with a history of eye injuries

Patients who have had an eye injury or trauma or have undergone other types of eye surgery may not be suitable for laser refractive eye surgery.

Sometimes, prior eye injuries may affect the eye’s healing ability, making it risky for laser eye surgery.

9. Individuals with autoimmune diseases

Autoimmune diseases can lead to ocular complications. People with autoimmune diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis may have severe dry eye disease, inflammation of the cornea or conjunctiva.

Such individuals have higher chances of developing postoperative complications.

10. Individuals with large pupils

Laser eye surgery reshapes the cornea to correct vision, and it is the cornea that will determine how much light enters the eye.

During normal lighting conditions, if the pupils naturally dilate or open wider than average, it could lead to light sensitivity and night vision complications. It’s important to assess patient pupil size before deciding on surgical options.

Conclusion

Having myopic or nearsightedness visual condition might be challenging, but it’s treatable.

While laser eye surgery is a viable treatment option for nearsightedness, a good candidate must possess stable eye prescriptions, healthy corneas, and realistic expectations while not having any other ocular or systemic complications. Consultation with a certified optometrist will provide a comprehensive assessment and guide on the right treatment procedures.