LASIK is an innovative approach to vision correction that lets one see clearly without glasses and contact lenses. The freedom and ease it offers can be life-changing. Although the success rate of the surgery is impressive, everything boils down to your eligibility for the procedure. Your specialist will assess you to decide whether you qualify for it, though you can evaluate your eligibility by checking a few criteria. Here are the factors to determine whether you are an ideal candidate for LASIK surgery.
You are at least 18 years old
LASIK is successful for patients over the age of 18 years because your eyesight may change when you are young. The hormonal changes during puberty have several implications, and changes in your vision are one of them. Getting a surgical procedure before the recommended age does not make sense, as your vision may decline after it. You may have to switch to glasses or lenses again, so it is better to wait for the right age.
You have stable vision
Although you can expect a stable vision after crossing puberty, it may not always happen. Your prescription may still change, and it means the results of the surgery will not stay. Your practitioner will recommend having a stable prescription for at least a couple of years before the procedure. It ensures better chances of lasting results as your vision is less likely to decline down the line.
Your prescription is within specific limits
Your prescription is another factor that determines your eligibility for LASIK because there are limits to how much it can correct your vision. The procedure tends to do well for nearsightedness though patients with farsightedness and astigmatism may also benefit from it. Most patients qualify for Lasik eye surgery because the maximum limits for refractive errors are typically high. Let your specialist check the numbers and recommend the best option for you.
Your eyes are healthy
Healthy eyes make you eligible for LASIK, so you must wait for the surgery if you have a condition that may affect the surgical outcomes. These include severe dry eye syndrome, conjunctivitis, infection, or injury. Dry eyes are a cause of concern because your eyes do not produce enough tears to lubricate themselves and facilitate the healing process. The LASER practitioner will treat the condition first and proceed with the surgery after things are on track.
You are in a good state of health
Besides healthy eyes, your overall health should be good to make you an ideal candidate for LASIK. Conditions like diabetes and certain autoimmune diseases may interfere with the surgery. Cataracts and glaucoma can also affect the chances of success of the procedure. Your eye doctor will recommend other alternatives depending on your pre-existing health conditions.
LASIK is a safe and simple procedure to correct the vision, provided you are eligible for it. These factors give you a fair idea about your eligibility for the surgery, but your practitioner will still conduct a thorough assessment before going ahead with the procedure.