Want to get rid of your glasses? Are you considering LASIK? Do you want to know if you are fit for LASIK? Read on!
Vision correction surgery can be life changing; however, you must know if you are a good candidate for LASIK. Here are some basic facts to help you talk to your doctor. These decide your eligibility for LASIK.
The Power of Your Glasses Decides if You Are Fit For LASIK
If your power of glasses, or refractive error, is very high — you may not be a good candidate for LASIK. LASIK surgery outcomes are less predictable and more risky if you have a high power.
If you have a high power of glasses, your doctor will discuss other options for spectacle removal. These include femtosecond LASIK, phakic IOL (implantable lenses) or refractive lens exchange.
Your Age Decides if You Are Fit for LASIK
LASIK is done once you are at least 18 years old. However, younger patients may be treated as an exception. However, requires permission from the patient’s parent(s) or guardian, and the discretion of the surgeon.
There is, however, is no upper age limit. That said, remember you will need reading glasses in your 40s, and LASIK only corrects for distance vision. So, you may not get complete freedom from your spectacles.
Of course, your surgeon may consider monovision LASIK, in which one eye is corrected for distance, and the other for near. But, you must understand the implications of this very well.
Also, remember that dryness of eyes increases with old age, and LASIK can aggravate it.
Healthy eyes
Your eyes must be healthy for you to get good results after LASIK. Your doctor will assess you for dry eyes, allergies, injuries, and eye infections. These conditions can affect the success of LASIK, and your eyes’ healing. Most of these conditions can be treated prior to surgery.
If you have dry eyes, LASIK surgery may aggravate it. So if you have any symptoms like discomfort, burning eyes, a gritty sensation, intermittent blurring, or even excessive watering, please discuss them with your doctor prior to surgery.
Your doctor will also check if your retina has any holes. They may have to be sealed with laser before you are fit for LASIK.
Several retinal diseases, cataracts and glaucoma are contraindications for LASIK. In case you have a risk of glaucoma, your eye doctor will discuss with you if you are fit for LASIK.
Thickness of Your Cornea
Most refractive procedures reshape your cornea. So if your cornea is thin or misshapen, you may not be fit for LASIK.
However, recent advances mean even those with thin corneas are eligible for vision correction surgeries. For example, using a femtosecond laser instead of a microkeratome may preserve more underlying corneal tissue. Thus, even if you are not eligible for conventional LASIK, you may be fit for femtosecond LASIK. ICL (implantable collamer lenses or phakic IOLs) are yet an option.
Stable Vision
To be fit for LASIK, your vision and spectacles prescription must be stable for at least a year.
Otherwise, you may need glasses a few months after the surgery. Your eye doctor will look at your previous prescriptions and decide if your power is stable.
Overall Good Health
Uncontrolled degenerative conditions or uncontrolled autoimmune diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, diabetes and AIDS are contraindications for LASIK. The poor healing associated with these diseases mean you are not fit for LASIK.
Also, certain medications like immunosuppressants may interfere with post-operative healing. Some medications may aggravate dry eyes, so please discuss your complete medical history with your eye doctor before LASIK.
Delay LASIK if Pregnant
Pregnancy and breastfeeding lead to hormonal changes. These can alter the shape of your cornea, and your vision. Therefore, LASIK should be avoided until your hormones and vision have returned to normal after pregnancy. This may take a few months, upto a year.
Pregnancy is also associated with dry eyes, which is another reason you may not be fit for LASIK. Also, you will need some medications ( antibiotics and steroids) after surgery which may be risky for your baby.
Fit for LASIK: Have Realistic Expectations
LASIK is a very safe surgery. However, you must understand possible side effects, risks and potential complications. Discuss them with your eye doctor before you choose to undergo the procedure.
Discuss all health related issues with your eye surgeon, as also your hopes and aspirations. Your doctor will also discuss your career choices, lifestyle and medical history before deciding if you are fit for LASIK. This will ensure you achieve the best possible results.
