Every year, millions of people consider the possibility of LASIK surgery, and at first glance, it seems like a borderline miraculous procedure. But unfortunately, not everyone interested in this surgery is going to qualify for it.
What makes a candidate ideal for LASIK and how can you prepare for this procedure?
The Basics of LASIK
LASIK surgery is an outpatient procedure in which a laser cutting tool is used to reshape a person’s corneas. The cornea is the clear, external layer of the eye responsible for focusing light on the back of your retina. If the cornea is shaped incorrectly, it can result in blurry, unfocused vision. With a single, simple correction, you may be able to restore your eyesight back to normal.
After a short recovery period, most patients experience immediate restoration of nearly perfect eyesight. And, assuming you are a good candidate for this surgery, you’ll be at very minimal risk of any complications or side effects. The most common side effect is mild dry eye, but most patients don’t even experience this.
Of course, it’s important to recognize that not everyone with vision problems is a good candidate for LASIK. Certain people may be at higher risk for complications, and certain people may not be able to improve their vision through this surgical procedure.
Who Is a Good Candidate for LASIK?
So who makes a good candidate for LASIK surgery?
- Age. You will not qualify for this procedure if you’re under 18 years old. That’s because your vision continues to develop rapidly through your mid-20s; if your vision is still changing, LASIK surgery may not be appropriate. If you’re over 40 years old, you may be turned away for this procedure. However, the upper end of the age spectrum has little to do with changing vision and more with the potential for recovery. The older you are, the more likely you are to experience complications.
- Health. You should also be in good general health before pursuing LASIK. Though this is a relatively simple outpatient procedure, it’s still a surgical procedure, so you should have a healthy body and immune system to facilitate a smoother recovery. If you suffer from health conditions like rheumatoid arthritis, diabetes, or anything that directly affects your immune system, you may not qualify for this surgery.
- Prescription and root cause of poor vision. LASIK surgery isn’t a magical cure-all for all types of vision problems. Instead, it’s a simple procedure designed to correct one particular type of vision flaw. If your prescription isn’t bad enough to warrant this type of procedure, or if the root cause of your vision issue isn’t traceable to the cornea, this surgery may not be able to help you.
- Vision stability. Your vision needs to be stable before you qualify for this surgery. If your prescription is still changing somewhat rapidly, your ophthalmologist may advise you to wait.
- Cornea form. Not all people tolerate LASIK surgery well, based on the size, shape, and form of their corneas. If your corneas are exceptionally thin, or if surgeons have reason to suspect that they won’t be able to recover from the procedure, they may advise against you undergoing this procedure.
- Pregnancy. It is recommended that pregnant women do not undergo LASIK surgery. Pregnancy affects your hormones in many different ways, and those hormones can affect both your vision and eye health.
- Information. Patients should be properly informed about all aspects of this procedure, including how it’s done, what it’s capable of, and what types of side effects can occur. If you’re still new to learning about LASIK, commit to gathering more details before making a final decision.
Preparing for LASIK
If you are a good candidate for LASIK surgery, these are some of the best ways you can prepare:
- Learn everything you can. The more you learn about this borderline miraculous procedure, the more appropriate your final decision will be. Even a bit of research can help you properly prepare for this surgery.
- Disclose your medical history. Be honest about your medical history, even if it reduces your chances of qualifying for LASIK. You need to be honest with your surgeon and other medical professionals.
- Drink lots of water. Be adequately hydrated before your procedure. Drinking water is generally good for your health and can help you recover from the procedure faster.
- Avoid substances. Certain substances, even if they don’t affect the procedure directly, can impact how your body responds to the procedure. Avoid substances like alcohol, tobacco, and even caffeine before your procedure.
- Abstain from wearing contacts. In many cases, surgeons ask patients to abstain from wearing contact lenses for days, or even weeks leading up to the procedure.
- Get a driver. Results from LASIK surgery begin to manifest quickly, but immediately after the procedure, you’ll likely have blurry and sensitive vision. Because of this, it’s a good idea to have a driver take you to and from the facility.
- Follow advice from professionals. Follow advice from your medical professionals very closely. They know what they’re doing.
LASIK surgery isn’t for everyone, but it’s extremely beneficial for people who qualify for it. If you seem like a good candidate for this surgical procedure, you owe it to yourself to learn more about it and discover whether it could make a meaningful difference in your life.
