Who is a Good Candidate for LASIK?
- Posted on: Aug 15 2024
LASIK is the most common refractive (vision-improving) surgery today, and it’s not a surprise why. The American Refractive Surgery Council reports a better than 99% success rate, which means millions of Americans leave their glasses and contacts behind thanks to LASIK every year. After LASIK, nearly all patients achieve vision that is better than 20/40, and the majority achieve vision that is 20/20 or better. But LASIK isn’t necessarily right for everyone.
Can you enjoy a lens-free life with LASIK? That’s what we’re here to help you find out at Physicians Eye Clinic. Our elite team of refractive surgery specialists understands the desire for clear vision without glasses or contacts, so we do our best to help our patients achieve it. The first step in the process is a LASIK consultation to determine whether it’s the right surgery for your eyes. Here are some of the main factors we consider.
Eye Health and LASIK Eligibility
Eye health is a major factor in LASIK candidacy. Conditions like pink eye, dry eye syndrome, or recent eye injuries require treatment before you can consider LASIK. If you have a chronic eye disease, like cataracts or glaucoma, LASIK might not be the right choice. We thoroughly assess your eye health to ensure that LASIK is a safe and effective choice before recommending surgery.
Corneal Thickness and LASIK Candidacy
During LASIK, our skilled surgeons reshape the cornea, the clear front surface of your eye. For that reason, corneal thickness is a major consideration for LASIK candidacy. Your cornea must be thick enough to undergo this reshaping to achieve the best results, so a thinner cornea might disqualify you from this type of refractive surgery.
Prescription Requirements for LASIK
LASIK is less reliable and effective in people with very high prescriptions, whether for nearsightedness, farsightedness, or astigmatism. Most people have mild-to-moderate vision issues, so they generally quality. If you have a very high prescription, it doesn’t necessarily rule you out, though. Our experts consider your needs and goals individually.
Other Considerations for LASIK Candidacy
Several other factors can influence your eligibility for LASIK. For example:
- Pupil size: People with overly large pupils might experience side effects such as halos or glare in low-light conditions.
- Age: You can have LASIK at 18, but it’s usually best to wait for age 21.
- Vision stability: You must have stable vision for a year or longer before you have LASIK (no new prescriptions).
- General health: Certain degenerative conditions and autoimmune diseases might impact your healing process, making LASIK less suitable.
If you don’t meet all these requirements, don’t worry: Other refractive surgeries could be right for you. Our surgeons might recommend PRK or Epi-LASIK, which can treat thinner corneas and has similar results to LASIK.
Book Your LASIK Consultation in Everett
If you’re ready to explore the possibility of LASIK, we’re here to guide you through every step. Call us today at 425-259-2020 to schedule your LASIK consultation at Physicians Eye Clinic in Everett, WA.
Posted in: LASIK
