Who should not get LASIK?

LASIK is one of the most popular procedures in the world for getting rid of glasses and contact lenses. It’s quick. It’s effective. And for the right person, it can be life-changing.

But LASIK is not for everyone.

At Elite LASIK & Cataract, patient safety always comes first. We only recommend LASIK if we know it’s the right option for your eyes, your vision, and your lifestyle. Here's what might make someone not suitable for LASIK.

1. Your prescription is still changing

LASIK works by reshaping the surface of your eye to correct vision. But if your prescription is still changing, your results might not last.

You’re usually a better candidate if your prescription has been stable for at least one year. For younger adults (under 25), it's common to see some changes. We’ll look at your past prescriptions to help figure this out.

2. You have thin corneas

Your cornea is the clear front surface of your eye. During LASIK, we reshape this surface using a laser. If your cornea is too thin, there may not be enough tissue to safely reshape.

We measure corneal thickness during your pre-treatment scans. If your corneas are too thin, we might suggest an alternative procedure like PRK or SMILE.

3. You have keratoconus (or are at risk of it)

Keratoconus is a condition where the cornea becomes weak and bulges out. LASIK can make this worse.

Sometimes keratoconus isn’t obvious, especially in early stages. That’s why we screen every patient with a 3D corneal scan. If we spot signs of this condition, we won’t recommend LASIK.

4. You’re pregnant or breastfeeding

Hormonal changes during pregnancy or breastfeeding can affect your vision and your healing response.

If you’re pregnant or nursing, it’s best to wait a few months after you’ve stopped breastfeeding before having LASIK. We want to make sure your eyes are stable before moving forward.

5. You have dry eyes (and they’re bothering you)

A lot of people have mild dry eye and still do well with LASIK. But if your eyes are already uncomfortable, LASIK might make them feel worse for a while.

If you have dry eye symptoms, we’ll test how your eyes produce and hold tears. We might treat your dryness before considering LASIK—or we might recommend a different procedure altogether.

6. You have a medical condition that affects healing

Autoimmune conditions like lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, or uncontrolled diabetes can affect your body’s ability to heal after LASIK.

It doesn’t always mean you can’t have LASIK—but it does mean we need to be cautious. We’ll work with your GP or specialist if needed to assess your suitability.

7. You’re over 50 and want to avoid reading glasses

If your main goal is to ditch your reading glasses, LASIK might not be your best option.

That’s because most people over 45 develop a condition called presbyopia—which makes it harder to see up close. LASIK doesn’t stop this from happening. You might still need readers.

Depending on your needs, we might recommend lens replacement. We’ll talk through all your options with you.

LASIK is safe and effective—for the right person.

At Elite LASIK & Cataract, we use advanced technology to carefully assess your suitability. And if LASIK isn’t right for you, we’ll be honest—and guide you toward an option that is.

Not sure if LASIK is right for you?
Take our quick suitability self-test. It only takes a minute.