Are You A Candidate for LASIK?

LASIK is a safe, life-changing procedure that provides thousands with the ability to experience visual freedom from glasses or contact lenses. Most LASIK procedures take less than 20 minutes to complete. 

Interested in LASIK, but don’t know if you’d qualify? Find out if you’re a candidate for LASIK by using these helpful tips.

 Things to Consider Before LASIK:

Risks and potential complications relating to LASIK eye surgery are typically not significantly threatening. Recent data shows the complication rate with LASIK is less than 1% of all procedures performed. Most patients who experience complications can receive a retreatment or enhancement to for correction. Rarely do LASIK complications cause significant or permanent vision loss resulting in the patient having worse vision than prior to the procedure. The risk of eye infections related to LASIK procedures is also minimal.

Am I A Good Candidate for LASIK?

To be considered for LASIK procedures, all candidates must undergo a thorough eye examination and consultation. At ReVision LASIK & Cataract Surgery, candidates receive a complimentary LASIK consultation to determine if they are a good candidate for LASIK or other refractive procedure.

Candidates for LASIK must be at least 18 years of age with stable vision and a consistent eyeglasses or contacts prescription for at least one year. Because the shape of the eye changes as we age, it is important to allow the growth experienced through adolescence to stabilize. Typically, this occurs around 22-25 years of age. LASIK is a permanent shape change to the cornea. If the shape of the cornea is continuing to grow and change after a LASIK procedure, the visual outcome will not be optimal.

Ideal LASIK candidates also have a prescription for distance vision that matches a specific minimal strength established by the FDA. Due to an increased risk of vision glare and halos at night and decreased night vision, a LASIK candidate’s pupils should not be larger than 8.5mm in the dark.

Overall eye health is an important factor in determining a good candidate for LASIK. Eyes should have a healthy retina, eye pressure and the cornea must have sufficient thickness. When a LASIK candidate’s cornea is not thick enough for LASIK, alternate vision correction options are available such as PRK or implantable contact lenses (ICL). Each of these options provide life-changing improvements in vision and freedom from glasses and contacts. The highly trained Ophthalmologists at ReVision LASIK & Cataract Surgery use the latest technology to perform LASIK, PRK and implantable contact lens vision correction procedures.

Good candidates for LASIK have no major eye diseases, no evidence of autoimmune diseases, no recent history of eye infections and no symptoms of severely dry eyes. If diabetic, symptoms must be well managed. Due to hormonal changes women experience during and after pregnancy that can have effects on the eyes, LASIK candidates should not be pregnant or nursing because it makes visual outcomes less predictable.

Expectations:

Perhaps most importantly, good candidates for LASIK have realistic vision expectations about surgical outcomes. As with any procedure, a certain degree of risk, complications and side effects are possible although unlikely.

To provide an optimal LASIK experience, the physicians at ReVision LASIK & Cataract Surgery have a conversation with each LASIK candidate about their lifestyle habits and visual goals prior to the procedure. This allows the surgeon to identify the best course of treatment to deliver the candidate’s desired visual outcome.

Scheduling a LASIK Consultation:

Schedule a complimentary LASIK consultation at one of ReVision LASIK & Cataract Surgery’s two offices to learn everything you need to know before getting LASIK, including if you are a good candidate for LASIK. Call 1-800-475-2113 or visit ReVisionEyes.com.