Can I have laser eye surgery if I have thin corneas?

Laser eye surgery is a great option for those who have had trouble adjusting to wearing glasses or contact lenses. Plus, it’s an exciting prospect that can lead to far better eyesight without the use of optical aids. But first things first, are you a good candidate for laser eye surgery?

Eye surgery for thin corneas

If you have thinner-than-average corneas, you’re likely to find that the more typical clinic won’t perform LASIK on you. This is because there can be complications and side effects when performing the procedure on thinner-than-average corneas.

That said, laser eye surgery is now more advanced than ever, so with the right doctor, and the right clinic, there’s the possibility to safely perform procedures on patients with thin corneas.

This means that even if you’re not a suitable candidate somewhere else, it’s possible you now may be considered as a possible candidate at Eye Laser Specialists.

Thin corneas, thick corneas – we don’t judge

If a clinic turns you down for LASIK due to your corneal thickness, it’s worth getting another opinion.

Or better yet, find a clinic that offers SMILE, with an in-depth preoperative assessment and screening process, prior to the procedure.

If you have thin corneas and do not suffer from keratoconus, SMILE laser surgery offers a real advantage, it tends to make PRK and LASEK obsolete, at least for short-sighted people.

The principle behind laser eye surgery is that it works by using lasers to reshape the cornea to better reflect incoming light.

The amount of corneal tissue that needs to be removed will depend on the patient’s refractive error. Yet, for patients with thin corneas, the lack of sufficient tissue may make them unsuitable.

This is why it’s important to have an initial screening so that we can determine which vision correction method is best, based on the thickness of your cornea.

Looking for an eye laser clinic in your local area?

If you’d like to find out more about laser eye surgery for thin corneas or need help with your suitability, our friendly clinic coordinators will work alongside you to find out which procedure is best for you. Get in touch today.