Do you feel tired of wearing contact lenses and eye glasses?
If you answered yes to these questions, then you might have considered LASIK. This is a critical question, since LASIK surgery is elective and not a mandatory procedure.
LASIK may be a great option for patients who are able to afford it, but not everyone can benefit from it.
The criteria for a good candidate in LASIK typically include:
- The FDA approves LASIK in people over 18 years old who have reached ocular maturity.
- Prescriptions for FDA-approved Treatment Parameters. FDA has approved LASIK.
- Hyperopia: upto +6.00 diopters
- Astigmatism can be as high as 6 diopters
- Nearsightedness up to -12.00 diopters
If your prescription is more than this, you may not be considered a candidate for surgery. The tools you use to correct vision deficiencies during LASIK may not be approved for you. Additionally, your eye correction might still require you wear glasses.
- Corneal Size and Thickness:Itplays a critical role in deciding if a person is a suitable candidate or not for LASIK. Candidates must have a corneal thickness of at least 0.5mm.
If your corneas are too thin, or if corneal diseases or glaucoma are present, you will not be a good candidate for LASIK. During your first consultation, an ophthalmologist will determine the thickness of your cornea in order to determine how much correction is needed.
- Eye Quality – Candidate should not have any eye diseases, such as glaucomas or keratoconus. Candidates for LASIK need to have stable vision that lasts at least 1 year. They also need stable contact lenses prescriptions for 2 to 3 consecutive years.
- General Health All LASIK applicants must be in great health. The candidate should have no severe medical conditions such as diabetes, autoimmune or collapsible disease, or any condition which compromises the immune function.
- Dry-eye condition:You shouldn’t have dry eyes.
- Not Pregnant – Candidates should not have been pregnant or nursing during the LASIK process. Candidates cannot be pregnant or in nursing while undergoing LASIK. Because hormones can cause problems with your prescription, LASIK should be performed up to three months after you stop nursing.
