Table of Contents
Introduction
For someone who has been wearing corrective glasses or contacts for a long time, getting LASIK surgery seems too good to be true. The thought of opening your eyes in the morning and seeing the world so crystal clear seems like a dream. However, you must first qualify for it. In order for your doctor to be confident that this surgery will be a safe and successful one, he needs to check a few things.
The process for being evaluated as a candidate is comprehensive and direct. Here at Golden Vision, our experienced team takes each client through a detailed consultation process so you’ll never be left guessing. Knowing what your doctor will be checking you for lets you go through your appointment confidently. Here are the five main elements your doctor will be checking to determine if LASIK is best for you.
Is Your Cornea Thick Enough for LASIK?
The thickness of your cornea is one of the major factors involved in making the determination of your eligibility for LASIK. The procedure involves your surgeon using a laser that reshapes your cornea to correct your eyesight. To do this safely, a little bit of corneal tissue needs to be removed, but also leaves enough of the tissue in place. That is why your surgeon first needs to know if your cornea is thick enough.
First, your eye doctor measures the thickness of your cornea. To do this, he uses a test called pachymetry. It is painless. For most people to become a candidate, the thickness of their cornea should be about 500 microns. If yours is too thin, LASIK might not be for you. However, there are other alternatives that the doctor could suggest, like PRK or LASEK. These procedures work on the surface of the eye itself. So that you have a better understanding of your options, our team at Golden Vision uses advanced corneal mapping technology to get exact measurements.
Is Your Prescription Within the Treatable Range?
A LASIK procedure is approved by the FDA for treating a particular range of refractive issues. In order for you to qualify, your prescription must meet the following requirements:
- Nearsightedness (myopia): Up to about – 12.00 diopters
- Farsightedness (hyperopia): up to about +6.00 diopters
- Astigmatism: up to about 6.00 diopters
Unless your prescription falls within these ranges, LASIK probably won’t completely correct your vision. Actually, it might even carry a bigger risk. For this reason, our experienced eye doctors will go over your present eyeglasses or contact lens prescription and make a comparison with the ability of the laser system we use at our office. There might be other good choices to consider if your prescription is higher. Here at Golden Vision, we can then decide which type of procedure will work best according to your own prescription.
Has Your Vision Been Stable for at Least One to Two Years?
Your vision prescription must remain stable, hasn’t changed very much for at least a year or two, to qualify for LASIK. If your eyesight continues to change, you still could need glasses or even be re-treated later on.
Your eye doctor will go over your prescriptions for the last year or two. Consistency is what he’ll be looking for. The change should not be more than 0.50 diopters each year. For this reason, LASIK isn’t usually suggested for people younger than 18 because their eyes are continuing to develop. People in their early twenties should also be sure that their prescription is completely stable before they decide to have LASIK.
Are Your Eyes Healthy Enough to Undergo Lasik Surgery?
Besides the condition of your corneas, your general health is also part of the doctor’s decision to determine if LASIK would be right for you. The thorough exam conducted by your eye doctor will highlight any conditions that might complicate the surgery itself or even your healing ability. Here are some of the conditions that your doctor will be looking for:
- Dry eye syndrome that can get worse post LASIK
- Keratoconus, a thinning of the cornea, a condition that worsens with the passage of time
- Glaucoma or increased eye pressure
- Cataracts and any other issues concerning your eye’s lens
- Any abnormal retinal issues or other conditions that aren’t normal
If you have a real problem with dry eye, your eye doctor could suggest getting it treated before even thinking about LASIK because this procedure could lower tear production temporarily. If you have keratoconus, your doctor won’t advise you to have LASIK since your cornea is already structurally impaired. At your Golden Vision Appointment, your doctor will go over all findings in easily understood terms so that you have a good understanding of the general health of your eyes and a path forward.
Are There Any Medical or Lifestyle Factors That Could Affect Your Results?
Your general health and everyday lifestyle choices play a pivotal role in determining your LASIK eligibility as much as the measurements of your eyes. There are also certain general health conditions you may have and medications you are taking that play into your post-op surgery. For these reasons, your doctor will look into your complete health history at your appointment.
Some of the factors that come into play could be autoimmune diseases like lupus or rheumatoid arthritis. Also, some prescription medications like corticosteroids that affect healing are considered. If a woman is pregnant or breastfeeding that could change your prescription temporarily and is also taken into consideration. Any contact sports that you’re involved in can also put you in the higher risk population since you might be at a higher risk of eye injury after having the surgery. It’s very important to be completely open with your doctor about your health background so that you receive personally tailored recommendations for your treatment according to your own conditions.
What Happens if You Do Not Qualify Right Now for Lasik?
If you don’t qualify for LASIK at your first appointment, it doesn’t mean that you will never be able to have it. Some of those who don’t qualify the first time can look into the reasons for the disqualification, and once those issues are cleared up or treated, you can try to be qualified later on. For example, you could be getting treatment for your dry eye problem, your prescription might stabilize, or a problem with your physical health can be managed so that down the road, you may be able to qualify.
Even if LASIK isn’t for you, there are other procedures that might very well be. PRK, LASEK, SMILE, and soft implantable Collamer lenses (ICLs) are all good choices that work well for those whose corneas are on the thinner side. Another option might be a higher prescription. Here at Golden Vision, you leave your appointment with a clear idea of how to go forward. Our team is dedicated to helping you choose the best possible and safest solution for correcting your vision.
FAQs
Medical Disclaimer: This content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your eye care professional or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking it because of something you have read on this website.