Here at Moran Eye Center, we take the time to carefully ensure that anyone we operate on is a good candidate for any procedure. This is especially critical in LASIK, where we are operating on healthy eyes. So we take very seriously the responsibility to make sure that each and every patient will have the best chance for an optimal outcome while minimizing risk. 

When criteria for good candidacy are strictly observed, LASIK is a very safe and effective procedure.  For screening purposes, I would consider LASIK in a patient who:

- is interested in getting rid of glasses or contacts

- is between 22 and 60 years of age and has a stable refraction (distance correction in glasses)

- has no other eye diseases (e.g., diabetic eye damage; glaucoma; cataract; retinal problems) and no prior viral corneal infections

- has a glasses correction of between -11 diopters to +4 diopters, and an astigmatism of 4 or less diopters

- has a good corneal shape and thickness 

- has normal ocular structures on exam and is not on certain med

- does not have collagen-vascular conditions (e.g.., lupus or rheumatoid arthritis) and is not on isotretinoin or amiodaraone

In addition, dry eye and eyelid inflammation should be addressed and minimized before surgery, and we ask patients to stay out of contact lenses or the following periods prior to their consultation:

1. Soft lenses  2 weeks 

2. Soft toric lenses (which correct astigmatism): 1 month

3. Hard lenses (rigid gas-permeable): 2 weeks per decade of wear (e.g., if wearing for 30 years, then stay out of them for 6 weeks)

This is important so that the cornea (the window of the eye that is reshaped by LASIK) is not "molded" by the contact lens, which could otherwise affect our measurements as well as make the cornea "a moving target". 

Here at Moran, we would be honored and happy to examine your eyes and determine if you are a good candidate for LASIK.