There are few one-size-fits-all medical procedures. Some people are good candidates for a certain procedure while others are not. LASIK is no different. There are certain patients who will be better suited to this type of surgery and will be able to have better results than others. Any patient considering this surgery should find an Austin ophthalmologist who will give them an honest and accurate assessment of their suitability prior to scheduling a procedure. Here are a few ways to tell if you might be a good candidate for LASIK.
Myopic
Patients who are myopic or nearsighted may be good candidates for LASIK. Those who have mild to moderate nearsightedness are frequently good candidates. The adjustment should ideally be less than -6.00 diopters.
Hyperopic
A patient who is hyperopic is farsighted. Like their nearsighted counterparts, these patients may also be good candidates as long as their correction is not too great. A correction of +3.00 diopters is thought to be an excellent range for LASIK.
Astigmatic
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Astigmatism is an irregular surface of the cornea. Images are distorted when entering the eye since the light is bent by the “wavy” corneal surface. This condition can often be corrected with LASIK surgery, just like near and farsightedness, when it is not too severe.
Fast Healer
Anyone considering LASIK should be a generally good healer. A patient should have a healthy immune system that has not been compromised. Anyone who is especially slow to heal, like brittle diabetics, would not be an ideal candidate.
General Good Health
Overall good health is a requirement for an ideal LASIK candidate. If your vision is not stable or you have a chronic health issue this may not be the best method of vision correction for you. Those with autoimmune disorders should also consider other methods to improve their sight. You should be free of infection, inflammation and disease before undergoing this type of surgery. If you are pregnant, you should wait until after your baby is delivered before undergoing LASIK. Pregnancy can cause increased pressure in the eye as well as vision changes so this is not a good time to make a surgical adjustment.
Realistic Expectations
Perhaps the most important thing to have in order to be an ideal candidate is a realistic set of expectations. The results of a well-executed LASIK procedure will improve your vision but it may not be perfected. You won’t be able to see around the block but you should be able to see the computer screen or the alarm clock without glasses. Your vision will likely still change as you age. You may need glasses or contacts again as your eyes age. LASIK may not be able to prevent the onset of presbyopia or “elder eye”, a condition associated with aging eyes.
Anyone in Austin considering this procedure should be evaluated by a board-certified LASIK surgeon. Only a physician can tell you if you are a good or poor candidate for LASIK surgery. Find a qualified, board-certified surgeon who is willing to spend some time assessing your eyes and answering your questions before you make an appointment to have surgery.
