Are you annoyed with your contact lenses? Do you spend time wondering what life without glasses or contacts could be like?
Glasses and contacts improve your vision, but that doesn’t mean they aren’t frustrating. If you have been curious about LASIK, you should talk with your eye doctor to see if you are a good LASIK candidate.
One of the things your doctor will help you figure out is if you are a good candidate for LASIK. LASIK is not considered a medically necessary procedure.
You have to decide if the results outweigh the associated risks. You also need to educate yourself about the best way to correct your vision.
One of the most important things you need to consider is what the surgeon recommends. It’s up to them if you get LASIK or not.
About 15%-20% of prospective candidates are not a good match for LASIK. There are guidelines that they have to follow to see if someone is a good candidate for LASIK.
Keep reading for five signs you could be a good LASIK candidate!
1. Do You Meet the FDA Treatment Guidelines?
Your prescription needs to be within the FDA guidelines to qualify for LASIK. You can have at most +6.00 diopters of hyperopia, up to 6 diopters of astigmatism and up to -12.00 diopters of nearsightedness.
Prescriptions that are stronger are not likely to be good LASIK candidates. Even if you’re not a good LASIK candidate, there are other procedures you may qualify for!
2. Are You In Good Health?
To get LASIK, it’s critical that you be able to heal and recover easily after. There are specific medical conditions and medications that can make recovering harder.
If you have or take one of these medications, LASIK is not a safe choice. It is important that patients tell their doctors about their complete medical history.
This is the only way a LASIK surgeon can make an educated decision.
3. Are Your Eyes Healthy and Stable Enough?
Another important component of LASIK candidacy is if your eyes are healthy. Healthy eyes shouldn’t have any diseases, infections, or injuries.
If you have conditions like pink eye, they must be under control before you can have LASIK. Healthy eyes are a critical part of the recovery process after LASIK.
LASIK is only FDA approved for adults who are 18 years or older. Part of this is because your eyes need to be stable before you can get LASIK.
This means your prescription must remain unchanged for at least a year to two years. Although you can get LASIK at 18, most doctors prefer candidates in their mid-twenties.
This ensures that your eyes have stabilized and won’t change after getting LASIK.
4. Do You Have The Right Cornea Shape For LASIK?
LASIK works by adjusting your cornea’s shape to correct your vision. The cornea helps the eye focus light by creating an image on your retina.
When the cornea is the wrong shape or too thin, the surgery might not be as effective. In your consultation, your doctor will measure the thickness and shape of your cornea.
They test these things to ensure that you can get the desired results you want from LASIK.
5. Do You Have Realistic Expectations For The Procedure?
LASIK has limitations, and you need to be educated about them so you can be happy with your final results. Uneducated patients with unrealistic expectations may not be happy with their results.
Your doctor needs to explain the entire process to you, so you can understand the procedure. If you think of any questions, make sure to ask them.
You deserve to understand and be as comfortable with the procedure as possible.
By understanding the procedure and meeting the requirements, you could qualify for LASIK.
Are you ready to find out if LASIK could be right for you? Schedule a LASIK consultation at Mid Ohio Eye in Columbus, OH now!
Haven’t you waited long enough already? It’s time to put the constraints of glasses and contacts behind you and start a new journey to clear vision!
