About conditions that may make you unsuitable for laser eye surgery
- Can I have laser eye surgery if I have insulin-dependent diabetes?
- Can I have laser eye surgery if I have uncontrolled diabetes?
- Can I have laser eye surgery if I have systemic lupus erythematosus
- Can laser eye surgery treat amblyopia (lazy eye)?
- Can laser eye surgery treat strabismus?
- Can laser eye surgery treat squint?
- Can laser eye surgery treat astigmatism?
- Can I have laser eye surgery if I have Hepatitis C?
- Can I have laser eye surgery if I have HIV?
- Can I have laser eye surgery if I have a compromised immune system?
- Can I have laser eye surgery if I have a collagen vascular disease?
- Can I have laser eye surgery if I am taking prescription drugs?
- Can I have laser eye surgery if I am less than 21?
- Is there an upper age limit for laser eye surgery?
- Can I have laser eye surgery if I have glaucoma?
- Can I have laser eye surgery if I have epilepsy?
- Can I have laser eye surgery if I have thin corneas?
- Can I have laser eye surgery if I have nystagmus (involuntary eye movements)?
- Can I have laser eye surgery if I am pregnancy or breastfeeding?
- Can I have laser eye surgery if I have had or have herpes infection of the eye?
- Can I have laser eye surgery if I have connective tissue disorders (i.e. rheumatoid arthritis)?
- Can I have laser eye surgery if I have keratoconus?
- Can I have laser eye surgery if I have a cataract?
- Can I have laser eye surgery if I am prone to keloid scarring?
- Can I have laser eye surgery if I have iritis?
- Can I have laser eye surgery if I have a detached retina?
- Can I have laser eye surgery if I have macular degeneration?
- Can I have laser eye surgery if I have prism?
- Can I have laser eye surgery if I have dry eyes?
- Can I have laser eye surgery if I have large pupils?
- Can I have laser eye surgery if I have night vision disturbances?
- Can I have laser eye surgery if I have only one good eye?
"Lucy discusses her challenges with being severely short sighted, and finds out if she is suitable for laser eye surgery after years of trying"
Q. Can I have laser eye surgery if I have insulin-dependent diabetes?
Yes, if the diabetes is controlled. To be sure, we will examine you for this at your initial screening.
Q. Can I have laser eye surgery if I have uncontrolled diabetes?
No, patients with uncontrolled diabetes are not suitable for laser eye surgery.
Q. Can I have laser eye surgery if I have systemic lupus erythematosus
Yes, if well controlled. To be sure, we will examine you for this at your initial screening.
Q. Can laser eye surgery treat amblyopia (lazy eye)?
While laser eye surgery cannot specifically treat a lazy eye, suitability for laser surgery with an aim of improving overall vision will depend on the best corrected visual acuity of the lazy eye. Many patients with mild lazy eyes have had successful outcomes after laser surgery. If you have a prescription, contact a Patient Care Coordinator to discuss this over the telephone, however, we cannot make a final determination without an initial screening.
Q. Can laser eye surgery treat strabismus?
Laser eye surgery techniques alone will not resolve a strabismus problem. Refractive surgery only attempts to change the refractive error of each eye individually.
Strabismus is not automatically a contraindication for LASIK or PRK / LASEK, however there are several considerations that need to be evaluated before making a decision about refractive surgery.
If amblyopia - or lazy eye - has developed due to strabismus, refractive surgery will not be able to restore vision beyond that which is attainable with corrective lenses.
If you have a prescription, contact a Patient Care Coordinator to discuss this over the telephone, however, we cannot make a final determination without an initial screening.
Q. Can laser eye surgery treat squint?
Squint is another name for strabismus.
Q. Can laser eye surgery treat astigmatism?
Yes, laser eye surgery has been alleviating astigmatism for 10 years.
Q. Can I have laser eye surgery if I have Hepatitis C?
Yes, you should indicate this when you are having an initial screening.
Q. Can I have laser eye surgery if I have HIV?
Yes, you should indicate this when you are having an initial screening.
Q. Can I have laser eye surgery if I have a compromised immune system?
Yes, you should indicate this when you are having an initial screening.
Q. Can I have laser eye surgery if I have a collagen vascular disease?
Yes, you should indicate this when you are having an initial screening.
Q. Can I have laser eye surgery if I am taking prescription drugs?
Yes, you should indicate this when you are having an initial screening.
Q. Can I have laser eye surgery if I am less than 21?
Yes, we treat patients from the age of 18 and up.
Q. Is there an upper age limit for laser eye surgery?
No, there is no upper age limit for laser surgery, as long as your eyes are healthy. Some older patients experience a longer healing period after laser surgery, but we can discuss this with you at your initial screening.
Q. Can I have laser eye surgery if I have glaucoma?
Yes. Laser eye treatment, however, is not a treatment for glaucoma.
Q. Can I have laser eye surgery if I have epilepsy?
Yes.
Q. Can I have laser eye surgery if I have thin corneas?
If a clinic turns you down for laser surgery due to corneal thickness, it is worth having a complete preoperative assessment with us, including a VHFU examination with the Artemis, to rule out keratoconus. If you have thin corneas, but do not have keratoconus, will likely recommend a surface procedure (PRK / LASEK).
Q. Can I have laser eye surgery if I have nystagmus (involuntary eye movements)?
Yes. Laser eye surgery will not treat the nystagmus, but it may reduce the symptoms.
Q. Can I have laser eye surgery if I am pregnancy or breastfeeding?
Yes, but laser treatment is inadvisable until 4 weeks after breastfeeding is complete. Increased hormonal activity during pregnancy and breastfeeding can affect vision, and the drugs used in consultation can pass across to the baby.
Q. Can I have laser eye surgery if I have had or have herpes infection of the eye?
Yes, but only if there has not been a reoccurrence of the infection for at least 12 months before having the procedure.
Q. Can I have laser eye surgery if I have connective tissue disorders (i.e. rheumatoid arthritis)?
These conditions can be associated with altered healing responses by the body, and therefore present a slightly higher risk of complications after laser treatment. There is a possibility that you may be suitable if the connective tissue disorder is controlled. We assess this on a case-by-case basis and will provide you with an answer at the initial screening.
Q. Can I have laser eye surgery if I have keratoconus?
No, keratoconus leads to thinning of the cornea; therefore removing further corneal tissue with laser treatment is inadvisable. However, London Vision Clinic can successfully stabilise the keratoconus or protect those from further progress due to trauma to the eye, through Cross-Linking treatment.
Q. Can I have laser eye surgery if I have a cataract?
Laser eye treatment does not correct this problem, however, you can still have laser eye surgery if you have a cataract. Click here to learn more about cataracts and their treatment
Q. Can I have laser eye surgery if I am prone to keloid scarring?
Yes.
Q. Can I have laser eye surgery if I have iritis?
Iritis is a condition whereby the iris becomes inflamed. Suitability for laser eye treatment is only likely if there has not been a reoccurrence in the 12 months preceding treatment. Suitability will be determined after a discussion with an optometrist at the initial screening.
Q. Can I have laser eye surgery if I have a detached retina?
Yes, although it depends on the severity of your condition. Laser eye surgery does not treat a detached retina.
Q. Can I have laser eye surgery if I have macular degeneration?
Yes, although it depends on the severity of your condition. Laser eye surgery does not treat macular degeneration.
Q. Can I have laser eye surgery if I have prism?
Yes, although you may still need prism glasses if you have double vision with contact lenses or without the prism in your spectacles.
Q. Can I have laser eye surgery if I have dry eyes?
Perhaps. Your suitability for laser eye surgery depends on the cause and severity of the dry eye. We may recommend a surface treatment (PRK / LASEK).
Q. Can I have laser eye surgery if I have large pupils?
Yes. With our custom programmed treatments we have now successfully treated patients with very large pupils without inducing night vision disturbances (which would have previously disqualified patients with very large pupils.
Q. Can I have laser eye surgery if I have night vision disturbances?
Yes. We have the technology and expertise to correct these problems.
Q. Can I have laser eye surgery if I have only one good eye?
Yes.
Browse our 101 questions and answers to gain more insight into the treatments offered at London Vision Clinic or contact one of our Patient Care Coordinators for more information.
