Everyone wants better vision. Being able to see clearly is a simple luxury that most want to achieve without using glasses or contacts.
But getting started can be difficult. Not everyone can get LASIK, and figuring out whether the procedure is right for you requires having a LASIK consultation. Keep reading to learn more about how to know if you’re ready for LASIK!
What Happens During the LASIK Consultation?
LASIK consultations are designed to ensure that the procedure will be safe and effective for you as an individual. To do this, you will need to answer questions about your health, family history, and expectations for the surgery.
You will also have to go through a comprehensive eye exam so your eye doctor can detect any problems with your vision. These may be new or existing problems.
The consultation can take up to 3 hours to finish, as the eye exam needs to be very thorough. The good news is that the LASIK consultation is much longer than the actual procedure! LASIK only takes about 15 minutes per eye to complete.
LASIK Qualifications
There is a long list of criteria that you need to meet to be considered a good candidate for LASIK. Many of these qualifications can be met simply by waiting.
Others require active intervention to change. If you still aren’t a good candidate for LASIK, odds are good that you will be a better candidate for another refractive surgery. Here are some of the factors that go into LASIK candidacy:
Age
The FDA requires patients to be at least 18 years old to undergo LASIK. This is because most people’s eyes are not finished developing until they are an adult.
Eye doctors will often wait until the patient is well into their twenties before considering surgery for this reason. Although there is no upper age limit for LASIK, you may be better off with a different procedure like RLE or PRK if you’re a lot older and want LASIK.
Health
You must be in good health before you can get LASIK. This is particularly relevant for diseases and disorders that affect your body’s ability to heal. This includes conditions like diabetes, Sjogren’s syndrome, and HIV/AIDS.
This also includes conditions specific to the eye. Even something as simple as dry eye needs to be cleared up before you can safely have LASIK.
Certain medications may also prevent you from being a LASIK candidate. You may need to talk to your doctor to find out if you can switch to something else.
Corneal Thickness
LASIK works because it permanently reshapes the cornea. If there is not enough material to work with, then a surgeon cannot safely perform the procedure.
Not everyone has a normal amount of corneal tissue, and it is not something you can change. If this is the case for you, you may consider an alternative surgical option such as PRK.
Expectations
LASIK is amazing, but it is not perfect. You should discuss with your ophthalmologist what you want and expect from the procedure so you can both be on the same page going in.
Wondering if LASIK is the right vision correction procedure for you? Schedule your LASIK consultation at Rosenthal Eye Surgery and Fifth Avenue EyeCare in Long Island, NY today!
There’s no time like the present to finally experience the clear vision of your dreams!
