Are you tired of relying on glasses or contact lenses for clear vision? While many people don’t mind these vision aids, you may find them uncomfortable or annoying to wear.
Luckily, alternatives exist that can improve your vision permanently. One of these alternatives is LASIK, a laser vision correction procedure that can repair refractive errors like farsightedness, nearsightedness, and astigmatism.
It does this by reshaping the cornea, allowing light to reach the retina at the optimal angle for clear vision. However, not everyone is a good candidate for the procedure.
Keep reading to learn whether you are a good candidate for LASIK.
How Old Are You?
It’s normal for vision to change during childhood and adolescence. This is why patients need to be at least 18 to receive LASIK. It’s often better to wait even longer to give your eyes time to arrive at a stable prescription.
Many LASIK surgeons consider your mid-to-late twenties the ideal age range for undergoing the procedure, as your vision is likely stable, and you can enjoy clear vision for a longer period of time.
Do You Have Thick Enough Corneas?
During the procedure, your LASIK surgeon will create a flap in the surface of the cornea to reshape it and correct your refractive errors. If your corneas are not thick enough, it is unsafe to have LASIK, as the corneal flap cannot be made.
Do You Have Good Eye Health?
Another factor that determines your eligibility for LASIK is your eye health. Some eye problems, such as diabetic retinopathy, macular degeneration, and glaucoma, may increase your risk of complications.
Issues like dry eye syndrome, pink eye, and eye injuries can also impact healing after LASIK. If you have these concerns, your ophthalmologist can work with you to resolve them before scheduling LASIK.
Are You In Good General Health?
At your LASIK consultation, your eye doctor will review your medical history. Certain health conditions increase your risk of complications from LASIK, so it’s essential to be aware of them before proceeding with the procedure.
If you have diabetes or autoimmune conditions like lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, or Sjogren’s syndrome, you may not be a good candidate for LASIK.
Are You Pregnant or Nursing?
During pregnancy and while nursing, your body will experience hormonal changes that have the potential to impact your prescription.
Because LASIK requires a stable prescription for one year or more, you cannot undergo the procedure if you are pregnant or nursing. If it’s been at least three months since you’ve finished nursing, you may be a good candidate, as your vision should be stable.
Is Your Prescription Stable?
Another prerequisite to receiving LASIK is the stability of your vision. It’s essential that your contact or glasses prescription has stayed the same within the past year.
Is Your Prescription Too High?
If you have severe nearsightedness or farsightedness, LASIK may not be able to correct your vision.
Do You Have Realistic Expectations About the Procedure?
LASIK can correct refractive errors and give you crisp, clear vision for years. You might never need to wear glasses or contacts again.
However, LASIK cannot prevent the development of cataracts or conditions like glaucoma or age-related macular degeneration. These conditions can impact your vision, even if your refractive error has been corrected.
See if LASIK is Right for You
The only way to know if you are a good candidate for LASIK is to get a LASIK consultation from your eye doctor at Stahl Eyecare Experts. They will examine your eyes, go over your medical history, and discuss your vision goals to determine if LASIK could be the right vision correction procedure for you.
Do you want to find out whether you are a good candidate for LASIK? Schedule a LASIK consultation at Stahl Eyecare Experts in Manhattan, NY, today!
