Eligibility for laser eye surgery
In a refractive laser treatment, an optical correction (myopia, astigmatism or hyperopia) is corrected surgically. To guarantee an optimal and safe result, you must meet a number of conditions.
General conditions
- Age between 20 and 50
- Refraction stable for at least 1 year. Spherical between −8 D and +3 D
- Astigmatism up to 4 D
- Good vision in both eyes with glasses or lenses
- Sufficiently thick cornea with normal curvatures
- No other eye conditions. Good general health
Which corrections can be treated?
Myopia (short-sightedness), hyperopia (long-sightedness) and astigmatism can all be treated with the laser. With a refractive error, light is not focused on a single point on the retina but in front of or behind it, or on two different points.
Distance vision is blurred, near vision is still sharp. The overly curved cornea is slightly flattened.
Blurred at distance and even less sharp up close. The overly flat cornea is made slightly more curved.
The cornea is more oval than spherical. Blurred both at distance and up close. Corrected in the same procedure.
What about presbyopia (age-related long-sightedness)?
From around the age of 45 our natural lens accommodates less well and almost everyone needs reading glasses. A laser treatment can correct your distance vision, but you will generally still need reading glasses afterwards. Patients who see well at distance and only need reading glasses are not eligible for laser treatment. For them, an intraocular lens (such as a multifocal IOL) can be a solution.
Comfort vision (monovision) is a possible option: one eye (the dominant one) is set for distance, the other slightly for near. Not everyone tolerates this equally well. It is tested before the treatment.
When are you not a candidate?
- In case of keratoconus or another corneal disease
- During pregnancy or breastfeeding
- With a history of herpetic keratitis
- In case of active autoimmune or rheumatic disorders
- In case of severe dry eyes (depending on type and technique)
- In case of an unstable eye correction
In many of these cases alternative solutions exist, for example an intraocular lens. Book an appointment to discuss your situation.