Yes, there are certain situations that are considered absolute contraindications for LASIK:
- Pregnancy. I prefer to wait till 3 months after delivery to perform LVC.
- Breastfeeding. I prefer to wait till 3 months after breastfeeding to perform LVC.
- Autoimmune diseases (e.G., lupus, rheumatoid arthritis).
- History of herpes infection in the eye.
- It will jeopardize your career. Some jobs prohibit certain refractive procedures. Be sure to check with your employer/professional society/military service before undergoing any procedure.
- Less than 18 years old – your prescription is too high (other options exist such as the implantable contact lens).
- You take retinoic acid (retin a). This may increase your chance of dry eyes. You may be asked to stop it for 6 months before the procedure.
There are relative contraindications for lasik where the procedure has to be approached cautiously. Your doctor can assess your personal risk.
- Your prescription is not stable. This has to be determined with your surgeon. If you have old prescriptions, bring them to your appointment. In general, the vision stabilizes as we get older.
- You feel dryness in your eyes (just being told your eyes are dry is not a good indicator) – you have other eye diseases or conditions.