Can Anyone Get LASIK?
Are you tired of relying on glasses and contacts for clear vision? You may be a good candidate for LASIK.
LASIK is one of the most popular elective procedures worldwide, helping millions reduce their reliance on visual aids. It provides the freedom of clear vision without the hassle of glasses or contacts.
While many people who need glasses or contacts make good LASIK candidates, there are certain requirements you must meet to undergo the procedure. Keep reading to learn more about whether anyone can get LASIK, and if the procedure could be right for you!
What Is LASIK?
LASIK is a vision correction procedure that uses specialized lasers to correct refractive errors like nearsightedness, farsightedness, and astigmatism. These errors occur when the cornea, the clear front part of the eye, has irregularities that prevent light from refracting properly, resulting in unfocused vision.
Glasses or contacts correct this by adjusting how light enters the eye, but LASIK actually reshapes the cornea to improve vision.
What Happens During LASIK?
Before the procedure, your eyes will be numbed, and you may be offered a mild sedative to help you relax. The procedure begins with your LASIK surgeon using a femtosecond laser to make a thin flap in the cornea.
Then, they use an excimer laser to reshape the tissue beneath the flap to correct your refractive errors. The flap is then repositioned, acting as a natural bandage while the eye heals.
Recovery is typically short, with many patients noticing visual improvements quickly, and returning to normal activities the next day.
How Do You Know If You’re a Good LASIK Candidate?
The only way to know if LASIK is right for you is to have a LASIK consultation with your eye doctor at Eye Associates of North Florida. During this appointment, your eye doctor will evaluate various factors, such as age, health, and the stability of your vision, to determine whether LASIK could be safe and effective for you.
The good news is that around 85% of people who are evaluated for LASIK qualify for the procedure. If you are not a good candidate for LASIK, there are also other procedures like PRK that offer a vision correction alternative.
What Is the Minimum Age for LASIK?
You must be at least 18 years old to qualify for LASIK. Your vision tends to change during your younger years, so LASIK is most effective when your vision has stabilized.
Visual stability is essential, as LASIK corrects your current refractive error. If your vision changes post-surgery, the procedure may not be as effective.
Stable vision means your prescription hasn’t changed for at least one year. While there isn’t a strict upper age limit for LASIK, patients over 40 may be better suited for a procedure like refractive lens exchange.
This is because many age-related conditions such as presbyopia and cataracts begin developing around that age, and could affect your vision and the results of LASIK.
How Does Medical History Affect LASIK Candidacy?
You don’t need to be in perfect health to qualify for LASIK, but you should be in generally good health. Conditions that can interfere with healing, such as autoimmune disorders like diabetes, lupus, Sjogren’s syndrome, and rheumatoid arthritis, can disqualify you from the procedure.
Additionally, you cannot get LASIK if you are pregnant or nursing, as your prescription has the potential to change due to hormonal shifts. Certain eye conditions, such as cataracts, glaucoma, or untreated dry eye, can also disqualify you from LASIK.
If you have dry eye, your eye doctor will likely recommend treatment both to improve your eye health and help you qualify for LASIK.
What Other Factors Are Important for LASIK Candidacy?
Your corneal thickness is another crucial factor in LASIK eligibility. Since a flap is created in your cornea, it must be thick enough to support the procedure.
However, procedures like PRK can be a great alternative as it does not involve making a flap in the cornea to correct your vision. You should also have realistic expectations about the procedure’s outcomes.
LASIK has a 96% satisfaction rate. While most patients achieve 20/20 vision or better, it’s important to understand that no procedure is without risk.
Is LASIK Permanent?
LASIK can offer you decades of crystal-clear vision and reduce or eliminate your need for glasses and contacts. Reshaping your cornea to permanently correct your refractive errors provides unparalleled visual freedom and the opportunity to enjoy vivid, high-definition eyesight.
While LASIK does permanently change your vision, it doesn’t prevent age-related vision loss from conditions like cataracts or presbyopia. These conditions affect the natural lens of the eye, rather than the cornea.
Other eye conditions like glaucoma, age-related macular degeneration, and diabetic retinopathy can also change your eyesight as you age, as they impact different parts of the eye.
Do you want to learn more about LASIK and discover whether you’re a good candidate? Schedule your consultation with Eye Associates of North Florida in Tallahassee, FL!
