5 Signs You’re a Good LASIK Candidate
July 9th, 2024
Millions of people undergo laser vision correction procedures to achieve clear vision. LASIK has an outstanding record of patient satisfaction, and it’s considered very safe, as surgeons take care to ensure the optimal type of vision correction for each patient.
Your eye doctor at Laser Eye Center will do a comprehensive screening to make sure LASIK is right for you. Keep reading to learn more about 5 signs you’re a good LASIK candidate!
1. Prescription Needs
LASIK is effective at correcting refractive errors that fall within a particular range. You may be a good candidate if your prescription is:
- up to +6.00 diopters of farsightedness
- up to 6 diopters of astigmatism
- up to -12.00 diopters of nearsightedness
LASIK won’t be effective if your vision doesn’t fit within this range. However, exploring other vision correction procedures, such as RLE, with your eye doctor at Laser Eye Center may help.
2. Prescription Stability and Eye Health
LASIK is a permanent procedure that cannot be adjusted over time. For this reason, it’s best to wait until your vision has stopped changing before exploring LASIK. Many people have frequent prescription changes during adolescence and into early adulthood, often stabilizing after the age of 21.
Your eye doctor will ask when you last needed to update your prescription. If your eyes have changed in the last year, you cannot get LASIK. LASIK is only effective if your prescription is stable because it doesn’t work if your eyes are still changing.
Your eye doctor at Laser Eye Center will also assess how healthy your eyes are. You are not a good candidate for LASIK if you have certain eye conditions like glaucoma or macular degeneration. If you have cataracts, a procedure like cataract surgery makes more sense, and can provide the vision correction you need.
3. General Health
As with any elective procedure, there are risks of complications, such as infection or dry eye. If you have certain conditions, like diabetes, lupus or rheumatoid arthritis, you may not be a good candidate for LASIK.
Some medications, such as corticosteroids and prescription acne medications, can also affect the healing process. Discuss your health and any medicines you take with your eye doctor so you can decide if LASIK is safe for you.
4. Corneal Shape and Thickness
The LASIK procedure reshapes the cornea, which has clear tissue on the surface of the eye. The cornea must be healthy and thick enough to tolerate the procedure. Your eye doctor will examine your cornea to ensure it’s thick enough for LASIK. If it isn’t, you may be a candidate for alternative laser vision correction procedures.
5. Realistic Expectations
Most people who get LASIK have good results, achieving 20/20 vision or better. However, it’s essential to understand what LASIK can and can’t do. The procedure corrects nearsightedness, farsightedness, and astigmatism.
However, it can’t prevent age-related eye conditions like presbyopia or cataracts. Your eye doctor will discuss what results to expect so you’re fully informed about the procedure and how it can improve your vision.
Do you want to learn more about LASIK or determine whether you’re a good candidate for laser vision correction? Schedule a LASIK consultation at Laser Eye Center in Huntsville, AL, today!
