Another issue could be dry eye syndrome. This happens when your eyes don’t make tears in the way that they should. This may require eye drops on a regular basis, or you may need plugs. Further, you might need to undergo a “retreatment” or “enhancement” in which another surgery will be performed.
There are also health issues that may put you at risk for complications. Autoimmune disorders, like rheumatoid arthritis, may put you at risk. Dry eyes put you at risk because of the tendency for LASIK to exacerbate the problem. And hormone changes due to pregnancy or menopause may put you at risk. You’ll want to avoid this procedure if you have an eye condition like keratoconus, keratitis, uveitis, herpes simplex affecting the eye area, glaucoma, cataracts, eye injuries or lid disorders.
Your doctor may advise against surgery if your vision is good already or if you have big pupils and/or thin corneas. Further, certain sports that involve contact with the face may make you a poor candidate, and changes to the eye due to age may also play a part in your doctor’s recommendation.
If you do opt for the procedure, you’ll need to prepare. According to the Mayo Clinic, you’ll want to find out exactly how much the procedure is going to cost. Because it is an elective surgery, you probably can’t count on insurance to foot a portion of the bill. So you’ll need to plan for payment ahead of time.
The Mayo Clinic says that you’ll need to call it quits with the contacts a few weeks before having the procedure done (and wear your glasses instead). This is because contacts may affect the shape of the cornea, which could affect measurements. You’ll also want to avoid eye makeup and anything else that you put on your eyes the day of and the day before surgery. Follow doctor’s orders about any eye-cleaning procedures