About Conditions That May Make You Unsuitable For Laser Eye Surgery
Can I Have Laser Eye Surgery If I Have Insulin-Dependent Diabetes?
If you would like to watch a video relating to this FAQ please click here.
Yes, if the diabetes is controlled. To be sure, we will examine you for this at your initial screening.
Can I Have Laser Eye Surgery If I Have Uncontrolled Diabetes?
To watch a video about this question please click here.
No, patients with uncontrolled diabetes are not suitable for laser eye surgery.
Can I Have Laser Eye Surgery If I Have Systemic Lupus Erythematosus?
You can watch a video relating to this FAQ – just click here.
Yes, if well controlled. To be sure, we will examine you for this at your initial screening.
Can Laser Eye Surgery Treat Amblyopia (Lazy Eye)?
Please click here to watch a video about this FAQ.
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.
Can Laser Eye Surgery Treat Strabismus?
To watch Mr. Glenn Carp answer this question please click here.
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.
Can Laser Eye Surgery Treat Squint?
Click here for a video explaining this FAQ.
Squint is another name for strabismus.
Can Laser Eye Surgery Treat Astigmatism?
To watch a video relating to this question please click here.
Yes, laser eye surgery has been alleviating astigmatism for 10 years.
Can I Have Laser Eye Surgery If I Have Hepatitis C?
Yes, you should indicate this when you are having an initial screening.
Can I Have Laser Eye Surgery If I Have HIV?
There is a video relating to this FAQ – click here to watch.
Yes, you should indicate this when you are having an initial screening.
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.
Can I Have Laser Eye Surgery If I Have A Collagen Vascular Disease?
To watch Mr. Glenn Carp talk about this FAQ please click here.
Yes, you should indicate this when you are having an initial screening
Can I Have Laser Eye Surgery If I Am Taking Prescription Drugs?
Interested in this FAQ? Click here to watch the video.
Yes, you should indicate this when you are having an initial screening.
Can I Have Laser Eye Surgery If I Am Less Than 21?
Yes, we treat patients from the age of 18 and up.
Is There An Upper Age Limit For Laser Eye Surgery?
If you would like to watch Mr. Carp answer this FAQ please click here for the video.
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.
Can I Have Laser Eye Surgery If I Have Glaucoma?
To watch a video relating to this question click here.
Yes. Laser eye treatment, however, is not a treatment for glaucoma.
Can I Have Laser Eye Surgery If I Have Epilepsy?
If you would like to watch a video elaborating this question please click here.
Yes.
Can I Have Laser Eye Surgery If I Have Thin Corneas?
To watch the video relating to this question please click here.
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 Insight 100, to rule out keratoconus. If you have thin corneas, but do not have keratoconus, will likely recommend a surface procedure (PRK / LASEK).
Can I Have Laser Eye Surgery If I Have Nystagmus (Involuntary Eye Movements)?
If you want more information regarding this FAQ please click here and watch the video.
Yes. Laser eye surgery will not treat the nystagmus, but it may reduce the symptoms.
Can I Have Laser Eye Surgery If I Am Pregnant Or Breastfeeding?
There is a video regarding this question – click here to watch.
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.
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.
Can I Have Laser Eye Surgery If I Have Connective Tissue Disorders (i.e. Rheumatoid Arthritis)?
Please click here to watch the video answering this question.
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.
Can I Have Laser Eye Surgery If I Have Keratoconus?
For a video explaining the answer to this question please click here.
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.
Can I Have Laser Eye Surgery If I Have A Cataract?
To watch a video relating to this FAQ please click here.
Laser eye treatment does not correct this problem, however, you can still have laser eye surgery if you have a cataract.
Can I Have Laser Eye Surgery If I Am Prone To Keloid Scarring?
For the video relating to keloid scarring and laser eye surgery please click here.
Yes.
Can I Have Laser Eye Surgery If I Have Iritis?
Please click here to watch the video answering this question about iritis and laser eye surgery.
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.
Can I Have Laser Eye Surgery If I Have A Detached Retina?
If you are interested in the video about this FAQ please click here.
Yes, although it depends on the severity of your condition. Laser eye surgery does not treat a detached retina.
Can I Have Laser Eye Surgery If I Have Macular Degeneration?
To find out more about laser eye surgery and macular degeneration watch the video – click here.
Yes, although it depends on the severity of your condition. Laser eye surgery does not treat macular degeneration.
Can I Have Laser Eye Surgery If I Have Prism?
To watch a video about prism and laser eye surgery please click here.
Yes, although you may still need prism glasses if you have double vision with contact lenses or without the prism in your spectacles.
Can I Have Laser Eye Surgery If I Have Dry Eyes?
Interested in this FAQ? Please click here for a video answering the question.
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).
Can I Have Laser Eye Surgery If I Have Large Pupils?
To learn more please watch the video about this FAQ – click here.
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.
Can I Have Laser Eye Surgery If I Have Night Vision Disturbances?
Please click here to watch a video about laser eye surgery and night vision disturbances.
Yes. We have the technology and expertise to correct these problems.
Can I Have Laser Eye Surgery If I Have Only One Good Eye?
Yes.
