In popular refractive eye surgery to correct the scratches or cataracts (refraction conditions), LASIK (Laser-assisted in situ keratomileusis) is done for presbyopia, nearsightedness, farsightedness, or astigmatism. Many want to stop wearing glasses and contact lenses, and LASIK sounds like a good idea, but not all people are LASIK or all types of vision correction candidates. This article provides some factors that can guide you on whether LASIK is right for your case or not.
1. Type of Vision Problems
The treatment for different refractive errors is different. Hyperopic, myopic, and astigmatic errors, to a large extent, correct the error corrections. This is great for something like presbyopia, the most common disease of aging that makes it more difficult to see close-ups, but it doesn’t even begin to come close. This is why those with presbyopia may opt for other types of surgery or prefer other treatments to do better. The physician doesn’t just look through the instrument and decide if the patient will be a good candidate for LASIK; the physician needs to know something about the nature of the problem the patient has with their vision.
2. Age Considerations
Age, however, is the big factor determining how well one is suited for LASIK. Eye care professionals recommend candidates to be at least 18 years old so their eyes can keep changing during adolescence — and to be in stages of development. An age of less than 40 doesn’t make you an automatic candidate for LASIK; those over 40 can also develop a condition called presbyopia, which makes them less likely candidates. Because patients are old, they may need more treatments or even another procedure to get the best results from traditional LASIK. An eye care specialist can talk with people about how best to be cared for based on their age and what vision they need.
3. Eye Health and Conditions
LASIK isn’t for everyone, and whether that’s you depends on whether you have good overall eye health, especially your prescription. However, there are some conditions for which you will be ‘disqualified’ for LASIK surgery, including glaucoma, cataracts, or severe dry eye disease. There are other things to consider besides these conditions — including the thickness of the cornea and its shape.
Complications during and right after the procedure are more likely to occur in thin or irregular corneas. If, for example, such is the case, they may need to try something else (like PRK or Photorefractive Keratectomy because of the particular optics they have.) But that is why there should never be any LASIK unless a qualified ophthalmologist has completed an eye health exam and verified there are no bars to surgery.
4. Stability of Vision Prescription
Other essential criteria for LASIK candidacy include a stable vision prescription. It is best if candidates have had a consistent prescription of a minimum of one to two years before surgery. This period can signify significant changes in vision that could constitute issues that will affect surgical outcomes as well as the main achievement of the procedure.
LASIK may be an option for people whose prescriptions change over time. Still, it is suggested that people wait until they have not seen a dramatic change in their prescription before considering LASIK because a stable prescription is necessary to know what is the best plan and the best visual correction.
5. Financial Considerations
When examining LASIK, cost is a big issue to consider. The price can vary from surgeon to surgeon based on the experience and technology used and, most importantly, where the practice is located. However, LASIK is an investment most people find to be upfront and quite expensive, but ultimately relieves an individual well enough to save significantly in the long term by cutting down (and in some cases eliminating) the ongoing expense of glasses and contact lenses. With some research about the Lasik cost and financing, prospective candidates can learn what they can afford and if they can afford it.
Conclusion
LASIK surgery enables people to have better vision without glasses. But you need to check whether it suits your vision problems, age, eye health, a stable prescription, and, of course, financial considerations. Seeing an experienced eye care professional is the best way to put in place tailored guidance and the most favorable results.