Certain conditions, such as autoimmune diseases (e.g., lupus, rheumatoid arthritis), immunodeficiency states (e.g., HIV) and diabetes, and some medications (e.g., retinoic acid and steroids) may prevent proper healing after a refractive procedure. You actively participate in contact sports.

In general, most people who have laser-assisted in situ keratomileusis (LASIK) eye surgery achieve 20/20 vision or better, which works well for most activities. But most people still eventually need glasses for driving at night or reading as they get older. LASIK surgery has a good track record.

If you have a low prescription but are bothered by relying on your glasses or contact lenses for specific tasks, LASIK may still be beneficial. It can improve your daily life and reduce the reliance on corrective eyewear.

Typically, eye doctors will set their limits to +6 for farsightedness, -12 for nearsightedness, and 6 diopters for astigmatism. However, not all laser strengths are the same, so there's some wiggle room. Plus, someone with a -12 prescription might be approved for LASIK while someone with a -9 prescription isn't.