How to Determine Your Eligibility for LASIK Surgery

Because LASIK eye surgery is such a serious procedure, and knowing if you would or would not be a good candidate is the beginning of clear vision, LASIK or Laser-Assisted In Situ Keratomileusis is a daily procedure which is proven to correct vision impairments like myopia, hyperopia, and astigmatism. The article below addresses the primary requirements and conditions that go into determining whether or not you are a candidate for Texas LASIK eye surgery.

Key Points:

• Understanding the minimum eligibility criteria for LASIK surgery.
• Why a comprehensive eye check-up is so crucial.
• Exclusion criteria for LASIK surgery.
• Frequently asked questions and myths about LASIK eligibility.

Basic Eligibility Criteria for LASIK

Prior to even thinking about LASIK surgery, certain basic criteria must be met. These are designed to make the surgery safe as well as effective for the candidates.

Age Requirement

Patients need to be 18 years or older to be eligible for LASIK surgery. Eyes need to be mature, and your vision needs to have stabilized.

Stable Prescription

A stable prescription of one to two years. Sudden prescription changes in your prescription will ruin the success of the procedure.

Overall Eye Health

Good eyes are a requirement. Keratoconus, really dry eyes, or other problems with your cornea will disqualify you as a good LASIK candidate.

Meticulous Eye Test

A proper eye examination by an experienced ophthalmologist is of utmost importance in determining whether you are a good candidate for LASIK or not. During the test, your overall ocular health will be examined on many parameters.

Corneal Thickness and Topography

Your thickness and shape of the cornea are of significant importance in determining whether you are a candidate for LASIK or not. Since the procedure consists of reshaping the cornea, you should have sufficient thickness.

Pupil Size

Big pupils may raise the risk of side effects like halos or night glare after surgery. Your eye doctor will decide if your pupil size would make LASIK a good option for you.

Intraocular Pressure (IOP) and Retinal Evaluation

The IOP test and retina scan are included in routine eye testing. They assist in excluding glaucoma and retinal disease, which would be contraindications for LASIK.

Reasons That You Would be Disqualified from LASIK

While LASIK is safe to undergo for a majority, medical conditions and choice of lifestyle would disqualify you from receiving the surgery.

Autoimmune Disease

Lupus or rheumatoid arthritis that disrupts your body’s healing capacity may leave you incapable of healing through the LASIK surgery.

Pregnancy

The hormonal changes that occur during pregnancy result in a temporary shift in your vision, and thus the measurements by LASIK are not found to be accurate when pregnant.

Severe Dry Eyes

If your eyes are very dry, LASIK aggravates your condition since surgery temporarily inhibits tear production.

Frequently Asked Questions About LASIK Eligibility

Will LASIK correct all vision impairments?

LASIK is well suited to treating myopia, hyperopia, and astigmatism. It is not so good in very high prescriptions or other complicated eye issues.

Is there an upper age for when one can undergo LASIK?

There is no hard-and-fast upper age, but the presence of conditions like cataracts or presbyopia (normal age-related loss of vision) in older patients will influence suitability.

How long does the procedure take?

The actual LASIK surgery is brief and only takes about 10 minutes to complete per eye. Preparation and follow-up will, however, take longer.

What happens if I am not a suitable candidate for LASIK?

If LASIK is not possible for you, other surgeries such as PRK or implantable lenses may be an alternative. Talk over these with your ophthalmologist.

Discovering whether you are a candidate for LASIK is the start of clearer, more secure vision. If you are one of the aforementioned and are looking into having the procedure done, speak with an experienced eye care professional who can give you a personal assessment and further information.