Considering LASIK eye surgery? LASIK is a corrective surgery for refractive errors such as nearsightedness, farsightedness and astigmatism. An increasingly popular procedure for people who want to improve their vision without the use of glasses or contacts, it’s estimated that over 700,000 people undergo LASIK annually. With a success rate over 95%, LASIK is an excellent treatment option for most people. What are the vision requirements for LASIK?
To know if you are a good candidate for LASIK, consider the following:
- Is your vision prescription stable? If your glasses or contact prescription hasn’t changed in at least a year, you are likely a good candidate for LASIK. If your vision has changed, LASIK may not be the best option for you. LASIK will only correct stable prescriptions; those with changing vision will find that LASIK correction doesn’t last long-term.
- Are you at least 18 years old, but ideally between the ages of 25-40? While approved for anyone over 18, your vision may continue to change until your early to mid-20s. Once your eyes have completely developed, LASIK is a great treatment option. If you are over 40 you may still be a good candidate, but the risk of your vision changing again increases with age.
- Are your eyes healthy? If you have certain eye conditions, such as cataracts, dry eyes or glaucoma, you are not a candidate for LASIK. These conditions require treatment first.
- Are you in good health overall? Some underlying health conditions, such as diabetes or certain autoimmune disorders, can have a negative impact on the healing process after LASIK.
If you can answer yes to all these questions, LASIK may be a treatment option for you! Your eye doctor will perform an eye exam to ensure that you meet the vision requirements for LASIK. Your vision will be measured, as will your eye shape and cornea thickness. The next step is to discuss the benefits and risks of the surgery with your doctor. LASIK is a safe and effective procedure for most people, but it’s important to understand the risks and potential limitations of LASIK before going under the laser.
Ready to ditch your glasses or contacts for improved, clear vision? Talk to your eye doctor about LASIK today.