Are You A Good LASIK Candidate?
LASIK is a procedure that minimizes the dependence on Misight contact lenses or prescription glasses. Refractive errors like astigmatism, farsightedness, and nearsightedness can be considerably reduced after having LASIK.
About 97% of patients who have LASIK end up with 20/20 vision or better after the procedure. That said, poor eyesight isn’t the only qualification for having LASIK.
An ophthalmologist has to assess your eyes and health to ensure the procedure will be safe and achieve optimal results. Keep reading to find out if you could be a good LASIK candidate!
LASIK Requirements
To maximize the effectiveness and safety of LASIK, you have to meet the following criteria:
Sufficiently Thick Corneas
LASIK involves removing some corneal tissue and reshaping the cornea using a high-precision laser. If your corneas are too thin, the laser won’t have adequate tissue to reshape and fix your vision.
You Need To Be 18 Years or Older
Due to FDA mandates, you cannot have LASIK unless you’re at least 18 years old. That is because, as you develop, your eyes grow too.
If your eyes are still changing, you should not undergo LASIK. Your eyes will only continue changing and developing if they haven’t finished growing.
For that reason, you could end up having to wear contacts or glasses again or having a touch-up LASIK enhancement in a few years. Many LASIK surgeons recommend waiting to have LASIK until you’re in your mid to late twenties for this reason to ensure your eyes have stopped developing.
Your Pupils Shouldn’t Be Too Large
Your pupils contract and expand to allow less or more light to enter the eye. If you have overly large pupils and undergo the procedure, it can increase your chances of seeing starbursts and halos at night.
Over time, these side effects can impair your vision in low-light settings and make driving dangerous.
You Have Stable Eyesight
LASIK works by reshaping your cornea permanently so you can overcome your refractive error. If your prescription fluctuates before the procedure, it could still change after having LASIK and compromise your vision’s success.
For the best results, your eye doctor will have to check to see if your visual acuity has remained the same for a year.
Healthy Eyes
Certain eye diseases, infections, and injuries can disqualify you from LASIK. For instance, people with severe dry eyes or conjunctivitis aren’t good LASIK candidates.
Since LASIK works by reshaping your cornea, it makes your eyes more sensitive than they already are. So, having LASIK when your eyes are not healthy enough can exacerbate your condition.
You’re Not Currently Pregnant
Pregnant women go through many hormonal changes that stabilize once their baby is born. Most LASIK surgeons recommend waiting to have LASIK at least three months after you’ve finished nursing.
This ensures that your vision is more stable and back to normal. Having LASIK while you’re pregnant will not end well, and you may not have the lasting results you want.
Find Out If You’re A LASIK Candidate Today
LASIK can make it possible for you to enjoy your everyday activities without dealing with high maintenance contacts or relying heavily on prescription glasses. However, you have to meet a few LASIK requirements to qualify for the procedure.
These criteria work in your best interest to protect your eyes and overall health. Are you wondering if LASIK is the right vision correction procedure for you? Schedule your LASIK consultation at Short Hills Ophthalmology in Short Hills and Clifton, NJ, today!
