How does large pupil size affect laser vision correction?

Key to treating someone with a certain pupil size is to ensure the laser treatment zone chosen is sufficient to accommodate that size of pupil.

Whether one does it via LASIK, PRK and ReLEx SMILE would be based on other factors like corneal shape and corneal thickness. It’s important for your surgeon to customise the treatment choice to your specific case and that way maximise your chances of a good result.

Therefore, look to surgeons who are experienced in not just one type of refractive surgery. Ensure they are comfortable to discuss all the types of refractive surgical options with you including LASIK, PRK, ReLEx SMILE and Implantable Contact Lens etc.

Wishing you all the success with your journey towards gaining spectacles independence.

Thanks for your question. Pupil size is an important parameter when considering Lasik surgery as the pupil is the primary determinant of how much light enters the eye.

Typically, it is important to know the pupil size in the dark-adapted eye (mesopic conditions) as that is the situation when the pupil is at its largest. If the mesopic pupil size routinely exceeds that of the Lasik treatment zone (effective optical zone), it is likely to result in possible optical distortions including glare, starbursts and haloes due to light entering the eye from around the edge of the optical zone.

Modern Lasik treatment zones usually vary between 6 - 6.5mm, which exceeds the majority of patients' mesopic pupil sizes. In rare instances when patient mesopic pupil sizes exceed the treatment zones, options include alternatives of choosing a larger Lasik ablation zones, surface ablation (Epi-Lasik) or an Implantable Collamer Lens.

There are certainly many options available so do discuss these in detail with your ophthalmologist, in particular with due consideration to your specific examination findings!

Best of luck!

ESG