LASIK is one of the most popular and successful refractive surgeries worldwide. It offers freedom from glasses and contact lenses for millions of patients with nearsightedness, farsightedness, and astigmatism. But not everyone is a candidate for LASIK, and ensuring safety is a critical part of the process.
Dr. Robert Dinga, an expert optometrist working in the field of optometry and laser vision correction explains more about being a safe LASIK candidate in this video.
So, what makes someone a good candidate for LASIK? And more importantly, what safeguards are in place to ensure a safe and successful outcome?
The Basics of LASIK Candidacy
One of the key elements to ensuring the safety and effectiveness of LASIK surgery is determining if a patient is an appropriate candidate. LASIK isn’t a one-size-fits-all procedure. It requires a personalized evaluation based on several factors, including:
- Stable Vision Prescription
A stable prescription ensures that your eyes have stopped changing, which typically happens after the age of 18. Doctors recommend that your prescription hasn’t significantly changed for at least a year before considering LASIK. Stability is crucial because fluctuating vision may mean that your cornea could change after surgery, affecting long-term results. - Corneal Thickness
LASIK works by reshaping the cornea to correct vision. A thin cornea might not provide enough tissue for safe and effective reshaping. If your cornea is too thin, procedures like PRK (photorefractive keratectomy) may be a better alternative. - Overall Eye Health
Healthy eyes are a must for LASIK. Conditions like dry eye, keratoconus, or significant cataracts can impact the safety and effectiveness of the procedure. In some cases, these conditions need to be treated before LASIK can be safely performed. - General Health Considerations
Certain health conditions such as autoimmune diseases, uncontrolled diabetes, or conditions affecting wound healing can complicate LASIK outcomes. Your LASIK surgeon will thoroughly assess your health history to ensure the safest outcome possible. - Age
While age isn’t a strict determining factor, LASIK is typically not recommended for those under 18, as vision continues to stabilize during adolescence. Patients over 40, might need additional considerations such as the onset of presbyopia (the need for reading glasses caused by the loss of flexibility of the lens within the eye).
Customizing LASIK for Each Patient
LASIK.com Network providers prioritize customizing the LASIK experience for each patient. This begins with a comprehensive eye examination where advanced diagnostic technology is used to evaluate your eyes. The goal is to ensure that the procedure can be performed safely and effectively for each patient.
Dr. Dinga emphasizes the importance of corneal mapping and topography to assess the curvature and thickness of your cornea. These detailed measurements allow our surgeons to determine the exact amount of tissue that can be safely removed, ensuring your cornea remains strong and healthy after the surgery. Patients with thinner corneas may be candidates for alternative procedures like PRK, which offers similar results but removes less tissue.
Are You a Candidate for LASIK?
While LASIK has a high success rate, it’s not suitable for everyone. During your evaluation with a LASIK.com Network Provider several safety parameters will be considered in determining your candidacy:
- Your Prescription
The ideal LASIK candidate has mild to moderate farsightedness, or astigmatism, or mild to signifincant nearsightedness. - Dry Eye Syndrome
Dry eye syndrome, especially if it is uncontrolled may disqualify a patient from having LASIK. In some cases, a patient’s dry eye canbe treated before LASIK, allowing them to proceed with their treatment, but if the dry eye condition is severe, PRK may be a safer choice since it doesn’t involve creating a corneal flap.You can learn more about LASIK and dry eyes here. - Pregnancy or Breastfeeding
Hormonal changes during pregnancy can affect vision stability, making the results of LASIK less effective. It’s generally advised to wait until after these life stages before undergoing the procedure. Nursing patients can consult with a LASIK specialist to assess their individual circumstances and determine whether the procedure is a suitable option.
Ensuring Safety Above All
Safety is at the core of everything we do at LasikPlus. From the initial evaluation to post-operative care, we ensure that every step of your LASIK journey prioritizes your well-being. The goal of LASIK is to achieve 20/20 vision or better, but your overall eye health always comes first.
As highlighted in Dr. Dinga’s discussion, modern LASIK technology, such as Wavefront-guided LASIK, allows for ultra-precise measurements and customized treatment. This technology helps minimize risks like glare, halos, and nighttime vision disturbances, which were more common in earlier LASIK procedures.
Conclusion: Trust the Experts at LasikPlus
Choosing LASIK is a significant decision, and ensuring you’re a good candidate is the first step in achieving clear vision safely. All LASIK.com Network Providers use advanced diagnostic tools and decades of experience to determine your candidacy, offering tailored solutions for every individual.
LASIK has changed the lives of millions, and if you’re a candidate, it could change yours too. Schedule your free consultation with a LASIK.com Network Provider to learn more about your candidacy and start your journey to clearer, natural vision.
Sources:
- “LASIK Candidacy and Safety,” American Academy of Ophthalmology, 2023.
- “Am I a Candidate for LASIK?” Refractive Surgery Council, 2023.
