Are you looking for a way to get rid of your glasses or contacts forever? Correcting your vision with LASIK may be what you’re looking for.
Researching LASIK on your own is a significant first step to learn more about this life-changing procedure! It’s the most popular refractive procedure for good reason.
The procedure is short, the recovery is straightforward, and the results are usually great! However, LASIK is not something that you can just sign up for and receive the next day.
Keep reading to learn more about LASIK and what you can expect during a LASIK consultation.
You Must Qualify For LASIK Before You Can Get It
LASIK is so effective because of the rigorous qualification process prospective patients must go through to get it. You must meet all the requirements for LASIK to qualify for the procedure and undergo it.
That means only people who have a high chance of a successful outcome and are healthy enough can get it. Your health and safety are the primary concern during any medical procedure, including LASIK.
If you don’t qualify for LASIK for some reason, alternative procedures can deliver similar results. Your eye doctor will help you find the best vision-correcting treatment for you.
To determine if LASIK is right for you, you will need to attend a LASIK consultation. This screening provides valuable information to you and your surgeon.
It will help you learn more about the LASIK procedure. During the consultation, your surgeon will also determine if you qualify for LASIK or if you need to explore other options.
A LASIK consultation can take two to three hours. That’s because there is a lot that goes into LASIK candidacy and preparation.
What Are The LASIK Candidacy Requirements?
A lot goes into determining whether LASIK is the best option for you. Some key factors your eye doctor will look out for include the following:
Vision Stability
One of the essential requirements to determine your LASIK candidacy is how stable your eyesight is. Your vision can fluctuate due to various factors throughout your life.
But LASIK surgeons require precise measurements to create lasting results. These measurements need a solid basis, which means your eyes can’t be changing regularly.
Your vision must remain stable for at least a year, if not more before you can undergo LASIK. That’s because eye stability leading up to LASIK indicates that your eyes are no longer changing and developing.
If they change after your procedure, it could undo your results. So your eyes need to be in a stable place before your surgeon performs LASIK on you.
Age
LASIK is only FDA-approved for people above the age of 18. And, most LASIK surgeons will not perform LASIK on anyone younger than their mid to late twenties.
That’s because your eyes don’t finish growing and changing until you are well into adulthood. Before that, there is still a high chance that your eyes could change after the procedure, which could ruin your results.
Pregnancy
Age, and growing up is not the only thing that can alter your vision. Hormones have a significant impact on your eyes. Pregnancy can cause hormone fluctuation, which can lead to dramatic changes in your eyesight.
Even after you give birth, it takes a while for your vision to settle back into its natural state. Therefore you have to wait several months after you finish nursing before it is safe to get LASIK.
Corneal Thickness
LASIK surgeons correct your vision by correcting the shape of your cornea. For them to be able to do this, your cornea must have enough tissue to get reshaped safely.
Some people are born with thin corneas. If your corneas are too thin for LASIK, you will have to explore other procedures to get rid of glasses or contacts.
Prescription Strength
LASIK is a powerful surgery, but it does have its limits. During your LASIK consultation, your surgeon measures your prescription to ensure it is within the range for LASIK.
An unusually high prescription may disqualify you from getting LASIK. Your eye doctor can help you find an alternative procedure that works with your prescription if this is your situation.
Medical History
Your medical history also plays a significant role in your LASIK candidacy. You should come to your LASIK consultation with your personal and family medical history.
This history includes eye injuries and eye diseases and also information about your general health. Your surgeon needs to know of any disease or disorder that may hinder your recovery.
That’s because certain diseases and disorders can impact your healing ability. Things like diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, or HIV, among others, may disqualify you from getting LASIK.
Learning About the Procedure
Your LASIK consultation isn’t just about giving your eye doctor your information. It is also a chance for you to learn the ins and outs of the procedure.
At your LASIK consultation, you can learn about how LASIK works and what it does to correct your vision. Your eye doctor will also go over what to expect during and after the procedure and how to prepare.
By following your eye doctor’s instructions, you can help ensure everything goes as planned. This preparatory phase is also an opportunity to get some peace of mind if you are nervous about getting LASIK.
LASIK has an astonishing rate of success, but it is still a medical procedure. That means there is always going to be risk involved.
It’s good to talk to a professional about your concerns beforehand. That way, you can reduce your anxiety on the day of your procedure.
Are you ready for the visual freedom that LASIK can give you? Schedule a LASIK consultation at Ellis Eye and Laser in San Jose, CA.
We’ll help you determine if LASIK is right for you or what you can do to have the best vision of your life!
