Is everyone with a refractive error eligible for laser vision correction?

Laser vision correction is undoubtedly an ideal alternative to glasses or lenses correction, but is it suitable for everyone? What criteria do you have to meet in order to be qualified for the procedure?

Contraindications to a laser vision correction surgery which can be identified by patients themselves (relative ones):

• age under 18
• instability of the refractive error (it should be stable for at least a year before the procedure)
• pregnancy and breastfeeding
• diseases diagnosed by other specialists:
  chronic diseases – e.g. heart diseases, advanced diabetes, AIDS, rheumatic diseases, asthma, or cancer.
  Neurological diseases and mental disorders – the reason for a potential disqualification from the surgery is the risk of unpredictable reactions of the patient during the procedure itself or during the convalescence period.
  Dermatological diseases – skin conditions such as psoriasis, atopic dermatitis, eczema and other disorders characterised by a tendency to scarring.

The above contraindications are relative, which means that they do not necessarily have to disqualify a patient from a laser vision correction surgery. However, the occurrence of any of these contraindications may result in postponing the procedure, as in case of some chronic diseases a certificate from the treating physician is required to attest to the stability of a given medical condition.

The final decision regarding the eligibility for a laser vision correction surgery is taken by an ophthalmologist on the basis of the results of a preliminary qualifying examination, during which absolute contraindications may be discovered, such as:

• parameters of the cornea - its thickness, curvature, diameter or steepness
• previously undiagnosed eye diseases – e.g. cataract, glaucoma, keratoconus, optic nerve damage, macular degeneration
• microscopically detectable retinal degeneration
• microscopically detectable corneal scars
• amblyopia often mistaken for a refractive error

We will inform you about the possibility of being qualified for a laser vision correction surgery after receiving a filled out Preliminary Qualification Form, which is available on our website. We will then ask you a few questions in order to rule out any limitations or contraindications to the procedure, for instance age, type of vision defect, your expectations as to the results of the surgery and your general health condition.

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