Do you want to enjoy vivid, high-definition vision without glasses or contacts? You should consider a vision correction procedure like LASIK!
However, there are specific requirements you must meet to be considered a good candidate for the procedure. Keep reading to learn more about 6 signs you might be a good candidate for LASIK.
What is LASIK?
LASIK is a popular vision correction procedure that has helped millions of patients achieve clearer vision. It works by using specialized lasers to correct common refractive errors like nearsightedness, farsightedness, and astigmatism.
Refractive errors are typically caused by irregularities in the shape of the eye or cornea. LASIK corrects these errors by reshaping the cornea to direct light toward the center of the retina, resulting in clear, focused vision.
What Happens During the LASIK Procedure?
Before beginning the procedure, Dr. Johnson will ensure you are completely comfortable by numbing your eyes with anesthetic eye drops. He may also offer you a sedative if you are feeling anxious.
Then, he will place an eyelid holder and a suction ring on your eye to keep it open during the procedure. Dr. Johnson will use a femtosecond laser to make a tiny flap in the cornea and fold it back.
The corneal tissue underneath will be reshaped with an excimer laser, correcting your refractive error. He will then fold the flap back over your eye to act as a natural bandage while you heal.
While recovery times can vary, most patients notice visual improvements within the first day after LASIK and can return to activities like working and driving after their first follow-up appointment. Dr. Johnson will provide more specific instructions based on how you are healing about when to resume activities like sports and wearing makeup.
During this time, your vision will continue to sharpen until it reaches its peak several months after the procedure.
Who is a Good Candidate for LASIK?
If you are nearsighted, farsighted, or have astigmatism and want to enjoy clearer eyesight, LASIK may be the procedure for you. Before undergoing LASIK, you will need to attend a consultation with Dr. Johnson at Johnson Laser Eye.
He will ask questions about your medical history, perform a thorough eye exam, and discuss your lifestyle and vision goals to determine whether you are a good candidate for LASIK. Six signs the procedure might be right for you include:
1. You Want to Reduce Your Reliance on Glasses and Contacts
If you want freedom from visual aids, LASIK can help you achieve your goals. While they help you see clearly, glasses and contacts come with a set of unique hassles that can be frustrating to deal with.
Glasses tend to slide down your face and can fog up in the cold, impeding your ability to live a stress-free, active lifestyle, and contacts can often be costly or involve a tedious cleaning routine. You may also find that visual aids don’t suit your personal style or are uncomfortable to wear for long periods of time.
After LASIK, you can enjoy crystal-clear vision 24-7, whether you’re relaxing in bed watching your favorite sitcom, catching up over a drink with friends, or playing your favorite sport. You won’t have to worry about visual aids getting in the way of living your life to the fullest!
2. You Are 18 Years or Older
You must be at least 18 years old to undergo LASIK. This is because hormonal changes as you grow up can affect your prescription.
If a patient were to get LASIK before their vision had stabilized, it may continue to change after the procedure and render it ineffective.
3. Your Vision Has Been Stable for One Year or More
As stated above, your vision must be stable for LASIK to be effective. If your vision has been stable for over one year, you could be a good candidate for LASIK.
This prerequisite for LASIK also means that patients who are pregnant or nursing cannot undergo the procedure, as hormonal changes during this time can alter your prescription. It’s best to wait at least three months after you’ve stopped nursing to consider LASIK.
4. You Do Not Have Certain Preexisting Conditions
Your unique medical history also plays a role in LASIK candidacy. If you have autoimmune conditions like lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, or Sjogren’s syndrome, they can impact your ability to heal after the procedure and disqualify you from candidacy.
Similarly, eye conditions like severe dry eye, glaucoma, and cataracts could make the procedure dangerous and worsen those conditions.
5. You Have Thick Enough Corneas
Because LASIK involves making a flap in the cornea to access and reshape the tissue underneath, your corneas must be thick enough for the procedure. At your LASIK consultation at Johnson Laser Eye, Dr. Johnson will measure your corneas and ensure they are not too thin for the procedure.
Other vision correction procedures like the EVO ICL are available for patients with thin corneas that don’t require the creation of a corneal flap. Ask Dr. Johnson at Johnson Laser Eye about achieving high-definition vision with LASIK alternatives.
6. You Have Realistic Expectations About the Visual Outcomes of LASIK
While the majority of LASIK patients enjoy crisp, clear vision for decades and eliminate their need for visual aids, there are risks with any surgical procedure. It’s important to understand these risks beforehand and discuss any concerns you have with Dr. Johnson.
LASIK also cannot prevent vision changes in the future due to unrelated conditions like cataracts or glaucoma. If you develop one of these eye conditions as you age, you may experience vision problems that require you to wear glasses or contacts again.
Are you ready to learn more about LASIK and find out if you’re a good candidate for the procedure? Schedule an appointment at Johnson Laser Eye in Wilmington, NC, today!
