Modern LASIK procedures can be performed successfully on patients with diabetes. However, your ophthalmologist will need to evaluate many factors before determining whether you are a good LASIK candidate.
In this post, the team of board-certified ophthalmologists at Austin Eye discusses how diabetes can impact your LASIK candidacy.
LASIK Candidacy
Diabetes generally won’t prevent you from being a good LASIK candidate. However, there are complications of diabetes that may disqualify you from getting LASIK.
If you have your blood sugar levels under control and don’t have any other health issues, you should consult a LASIK surgeon to determine whether you are a good candidate for LASIK.
Stable Vision
If your blood sugar levels aren’t under control, it can cause fluctuations in your vision. Patients who get LASIK need to have relatively stable vision, which is why this procedure is not recommended for young patients who are still experiencing changes in their vision.
However, if you are able to control your blood sugar levels through diet, medication, and/or insulin, then you may become a good candidate for LASIK once your vision stabilizes.
Damage from Diabetic Retinopathy
If you have diabetes, you should be getting tested regularly for signs of diabetic retinopathy. This condition involves damage to the blood vessels in the eye and can lead to serious eye damage and vision loss if left untreated.
Damage caused by diabetic retinopathy can’t be treated with LASIK and may affect your LASIK candidacy. Your LASIK surgeon will have to determine the extent of your diabetic retinopathy before determining your LASIK candidacy.
General Risks from Surgery
Patients with diabetes may have a higher risk of complications from any type of surgery. They may also need a longer recovery period because their bodies heal more slowly.
Your LASIK surgeon will have to look at your overall health and decide whether the risks of surgery are too high. Patients with diabetes may have to go through a more rigorous screening process, but they can still be good LASIK candidates if they don’t have any other health issues.
Find out if LASIK is right for you by scheduling a one-on-one consultation with the LASIK surgeons at Austin Eye. Call our North Office at (512) 250-2020 or our Central office at (512) 454-2020.
