LASIK was approved in 1999 and since then It has become a very popular procedure that helps correct poor vision helping millions of people see better. If you’re interested in this Manhattan procedure, this is the best time to schedule a consultation and learn more about it. But before doing that, you need to know whether you are qualified to go for it or not. This article will explore signs that you may be good for LASIK.
Your eyes must be healthy
If you have an existing condition that affects how your eyes respond to surgery or healing, you have to wait to solve that first. For instance, severe dry eye syndrome, conjunctivitis infection, and other types of eye problems.
Persistent dry eyes that prevent you from producing enough tears that lubricate your eyes and affect your health may be aggravated by Lasik. Common signs of this condition are burning or stinging, gritty sensation in the eye, lack of tolerance for wind, intermittent blurry vision, and excess tears in some situations. If you experience some of these symptoms, talk to your physician before the surgery.
The doctor will diagnose the condition during the preoperative exam and treat it first before proceeding with the surgery. They may suggest possible treatments like artificial tears, punctal plugs, medicated eye drops, flaxseed or fish oil supplements, or a combination of two or more approaches. You can check https://diamondvision.com/lasik-eye-surgery-manhattan/ for the right approach for dry eyes. If you have cataracts that affect your vision or uncontrolled glaucoma, you may not be a suitable candidate for LASIK or PRK.
Your cornea must have sufficient thickness
The cornea is the front surface of the eye and most of these procedures are done to improve visual acuity by reshaping the cornea. Doing Lasik on a thin cornea or one that has an extremely irregular or misshapen cornea in people with keratoconus can lead to compromised results or even impaired vision.
If you have tried Lasik before and you are told it’s not possible because you have thin cornea, you can try now because there are recent advances in the field. For instance, the use of a femtosecond laser rather than a microkeratome may allow the surgeon to make thinner corneal flaps and preserve some of the corneal tissue for the treatment.
If you are still not a suitable candidate for laser eye surgery or photorefractive keratectomy (PRK) despite the advancement, then you can consider another refractive surgery like implantable lenses.
Your pupils must not be too large
If you have large pupils naturally, you may be at risk of side effects like halos, glares and starburst in low light especially when driving at night if you undergo laser eye surgery.
Your prescription must be within certain limits
If you have a high prescription perhaps due to nearsightedness, farsightedness or astigmatism, you may be advised to not go for a LASIK procedure. LASIK surgery results for high refractive errors treatment could be less predictable and may not be worth the money you will spend and the risk.
Additionally, if you have a high myopia amount for instance, it will need too much corneal tissue to be removed and this will put you at risk of vision complications. People with severe refractive error may need an alternative vision correction surgery like phakic IOL implantable lenses or refractive lens exchange instead of Lasik or PRK.
You must be old enough
Some procedures need you to be at least 18 years old while others require you to reach 21. Patients younger than this age can be treated but an exception at the discretion of the surgeon and with permission from the parents or guardians. There is no upper age limit when it comes to laser eye surgery. But you should keep in mind that once you reach your 40s, you may need reading glasses to correct newer vision because of normal age conditions known as presbyopia.
You may as well be considered a candidate for presbyopia surgical corrections like monovision Lasik that improve near vision and reduce the need for reading glasses or bifocals. Remember, women are more at risk of dry eyes due to menopause and men are also at risk later in life. You should treat dry eye conditions before undergoing the surgery.
Go here to learn more about how to take care of your eyes in old age.
You must have stable vision
Young individuals sometimes experience changes in their contact lens prescription and eyeglasses from time to time. It’s essential to ensure that refractive errors are stable for at least one year before going for LASIK or any refractive surgery. This is often a nearsightedness that gradually worsens alongside other changes.
Young teenagers are not suitable candidates for LASIK until they have a stable prescription. Check with your eye doctor to determine whether you have a stable prescription.
Pregnant women should delay the surgery
LASIK is not recommended for pregnant and nursing mothers because hormonal changes can affect their cornea shape resulting in temporary vision changes. You shouldn’t undergo surgery until your hormones and vision are back to normal after the pregnancy which might take a few months.
Some pregnant women experience dry eyes which is another reason to avoid Lasik for the time being until after the pregnancy and postpartum period. Also, some medications that will be taken before or after the surgery for healing might be risky for the baby whether unborn or nursing.
Conclusion
Before going for LASIK, you should check and be sure that you are a good candidate to avoid creating problems or worsening an existing one. Some of the criteria for this procedure include you are healthy, you have a thick cornea, you are at least 18 or 21, you are not pregnant or a nursing mom, and you have a stable vision and pupils that are not too large. If you have any of these underlying factors, you should first seek medical advice from your physician, they will determine the best course of action.
