Lasik: Who shouldn't?

This is an automatically translated article.

The article was professionally consulted by Specialist Doctor I Nguyen Thi Bich Nhi - Ophthalmologist - General Surgery Department - Vinmec Nha Trang International General Hospital.
Some people with refractive errors often have to use glasses to maintain their vision. But wearing glasses regularly can lead to certain inconveniences or there are some people whose professions are not suitable for regular use of glasses, so finding a fast, effective and safe surgical method is not enough. It's all what the patient wants.
Lasik refractive surgery has many advantages in line with the desire to reduce eye dependence on glasses, but it is not for everyone. Some of the following subjects should not have lasik surgery, including:

1. People who are in the fast-rising phase

People who are in the stage of increasing myopia are not suitable for surgery because they increase the risk of re-occurrence and some complications. People who want to perform surgery must have stable myopia ie within 1 year, myopia does not increase more than 0.75 diopters.
Therefore, to know if I have stable myopia or not, it is necessary to periodically monitor every 6 months for 1 year before deciding to have surgery.

2. Nearsightedness above 10 diops

Lasik surgery is using a laser to change the curvature of the cornea, if your eyes are severe, the more the cornea has to peel off, leading to a thin cornea, which can have consequences later and the ability to see clearly is not guaranteed. post-surgery protection.
However, most specialists can still operate for nearsightedness above 10 degrees. But you should actively exchange to make a choice because when the close is high, the risk will be higher.

3. Severe dry eyes

A side effect of Lasik surgery is that it will make the eyes dry, dry eyes will increase the risk of eye infections, affecting the cornea. Therefore, if you currently have dry eyes, perhaps Lasik surgery is not recommended and medicines used for dry eyes also have potential risks.
Usually the doctor will conduct a stable dry eye condition before deciding to have lasik surgery.

4. Thin cornea

Because the surgery will thin the corneal parenchyma, so the thickness of the cornea is a factor in deciding whether the patient is suitable for lasik surgery, the patient must have a cornea that is not too thin, the corneal thickness is very low. cornea is at least 0.5mm, less than 0.5mm is thin cornea. Especially for people with high myopia, it is essential that the corneal parenchyma is thick enough.
To know if there is a suitable corneal thickness, the doctor needs to do a general eye exam, measure the thickness of the cornea...

5. There is an abnormality in the anatomical structure of the eye

People with abnormal eye anatomy such as deep eyes, unstable corneal structure... Not suitable for lasik surgery because it increases the risk of myopia and increases the risk after surgery.

6. Have chronic diseases affecting the eyes

Patients with diseases affecting the immune system such as: rheumatoid arthritis, lupus erythematosus, immunodeficiency diseases, taking immunosuppressive drugs, chronic diseases such as diabetes will increase the risk of infection after surgery, increasing the risk of affecting the results of LASIK surgery.
Eye diseases such as keratoconus, keratitis, uveitis, glaucoma, cataracts, eye trauma, corneal scarring ... also affect the surgical process, not should have lasik surgery.

7. Being pregnant or breastfeeding

Lasik should not be performed while pregnant and still breastfeeding because the surgery requires oral medications and eye drops, which are not good for the fetus and newborn. In addition, hormonal changes during pregnancy also cause dry eyes.
Lasik surgery can be done 1 month before pregnancy or it is best to wait 3 - 6 months after giving birth (in case of breastfeeding) or when breastfeeding has stopped.

8. Age inappropriate

Indicated for lasik surgery for people over 18 years old, because under 18 years old, myopia is developing, myopia level is not stable.
Over 40 years old, should consider before surgery because after 40 years of age, the eyes begin to reduce their ability to accommodate, quickly leading to cataracts, this depends on the health and condition of each individual's eyes. . If at this time, surgery will increase the risk of complications because the accuracy is not high.
To know if you are in the audience for lasik surgery or not, you need to have a clinical examination and paraclinical tests before deciding to have surgery. Therefore, you should go to medical facilities for specific examination and advice.
Vinmec International General Hospital is one of the hospitals that not only ensures professional quality with a team of leading medical doctors, modern equipment and technology, but also stands out for its examination and consultation services. comprehensive and professional medical consultation and treatment; civilized, polite, safe and sterile medical examination and treatment space.
Doctor CKI Nguyen Thi Bich Nhi has nearly 10 years of experience in the eye field. Treatment of medical eye diseases as well as eye surgery such as: pterygium, entropion, milia, glaucoma and cataract surgery by Phaco method. Besides, it also treats diabetic retinopathy by intraocular Anti-VEGF injection and ophthalmic surgery. Currently, the doctor is an Eye Doctor in the Department of Medical Examination - Internal Medicine, Vinmec Nha Trang International General Hospital.
Customers can directly go to Vinmec Health system nationwide to visit or contact the hotline here for support.