Eye surgery LASIK is a great treatment option for those with poor vision. This laser vision correction procedure is ideal for various conditions like myopia and hyperopia. But while it’s a very common and simple outpatient procedure, not everyone is a good candidate for laser eye surgery.
So, who is a good candidate for LASIK surgery?
In this article, we’ll help you determine if the laser eye surgery procedure is right for you. We discuss what lasik surgery is and the different factors that determine whether or not you’re a good candidate for the procedure.
Read on to learn more.
Understanding LASIK Surgery
Laser eye surgery (LASIK) is a procedure that uses an excimer laser to reshape the patient’s cornea tissue, which allows light rays to focus on the retina, resulting in clear vision.
In this section, we discuss what LASIK eye surgery is, the benefits of going through the procedure, and the different risks that could arise from laser eye surgery.
What Is Laser Eye Surgery?
LASIK eye surgery is used interchangeably with laser eye surgery. However, these two aren’t exactly the same. LASIK is simply one of the various types of laser eye surgery procedures.
This is one of the most common laser surgery procedures performed on the eye. The process involves creating a corneal flap by making a small incision on the eye. This allows the surgeon to access the cornea with an excimer laser or a femtosecond laser. The surgeon then uses the laser to reshape the cornea.
This is typically used to treat long-sightedness and short-sightedness. This is because an uneven cornea causes these conditions. So, the procedure is basically uneven tissue removal with the use of lasers. This is a short and simple surgical procedure with an easy healing process.
On top of that, this laser treatment results in improved vision for most patients. That way, they won’t have to wear glasses or contact lenses again.
Benefits of Laser Eye Surgery
LASIK is short for laser-assisted in situ keratomileusis. While it might sound complicated, this is one of the simpler vision correction procedures that provides a wide range of benefits.
Some of the different benefits of this surgery includes:
- You won’t need to wear glasses or contact lenses again
- LASIK is a painless procedure
- Quick recovery
- Long-lasting results
- Safe and low-risk
Risks & Potential Complications
While LASIK surgery is very common and safe, the procedure does present certain risks. These risks are rare and minimal compared to the benefits you receive when undergoing laser eye surgery.
However, before exploring your options with a doctor, it’s important to understand these risks and potential complications. That way, you have realistic expectations of the procedure and go into the operating room fully informed.
Some of the potential complications of laser eye surgery include the following:
- Over or under correction
- Dry eyes
- Flap complications
- Regression (very rare)
- Infection
Determining If You’re a Good Candidate for Laser Eye Surgery
You may wonder if you can get laser refractive surgery to say goodbye to contact lenses and glasses forever. While the procedure is great for various conditions, not everyone is the right candidate for the surgery.
Many factors determine whether or not a person is an ideal candidate for laser eye surgery, and we’ll get into them in this section.
Age
LASIK surgery is only approved for patients aged 18 or older. So, you have to be at least 18 years old to qualify as a candidate for the procedure.
However, most doctors and practitioners encourage people to wait until at least their mid-20s before surgery. When you’re a minor, you are still undergoing regular hormonal changes.
Hormones can greatly affect your vision, which is why most doctors recommend waiting until you’re completely over puberty before you get LASIK refractive surgery. Additionally, it’s also important to note that you must have had a stable contact lenses or glasses prescription for at least a year.
There have been some cases when doctors performed the LASIK procedure on children. However, these were only in extreme cases and were the exception to the rule.
Vision Requirements
Laser eye treatment is a great option for various vision problems. This is because many vision issues are caused by uneven or misshapen corneal tissue. So, if you have astigmatism, myopia, or hyperopia, you may be a good candidate for LASIK eye surgery.
However, it’s always best to discuss your options with your doctor. That way, you explore all possible treatments for your blurry vision and choose the best one for your needs.
Other Medical Conditions
Certain underlying medical conditions disqualify you from LASIK surgery. Conditions like cancer, diabetes, and chronic dry eye may greatly affect your candidacy for LASIK surgery.
Current Medication
Lastly, your doctor will probably ask you about the medication you take before recommending refractive eye surgery. While these procedures are great for a refractive error that causes blurred vision, certain medications can disqualify you from laser eye surgery.
How to Get Laser Eye Surgery
If you want to correct your refractive error with laser eye surgery, it’s best to talk to your doctors. If you wear contact lenses or glasses regularly, there’s a high chance you’re looking for a way to finally say goodbye to prescription eyewear. This is why we highly recommend discussing laser vision correction with a medical professional.
That way, they can assess your condition and determine if you are an ideal candidate for the surgery. Once they determine whether or not it’s the right treatment for you, you can set a date and time for the procedure. This is a very simple and quick procedure, so you can expect to be in and out of the operating room in no time!
Conclusion
While laser surgery is a great option for many people, not everyone is a good candidate for the procedure. Many factors can affect your candidacy, so it’s important to understand them before speaking to your doctor. But if you’re interested in getting laser eye surgery, we highly recommend speaking to a doctor immediately to discuss your options.
Leave a Reply