To be a good candidate for a LASIK procedure, you need to meet some stringent guidelines to ensure the procedure will be right for you and your vision. The reason for these guidelines is the necessity to promote safer laser eye surgery and to gain better results with reduced risk.
The guidelines your ophthalmologist will follow when considering you for LASIK are below. These are the standard guidelines for all LASIK patients, and you can use them yourself to see if you make a good candidate the surgery.
- The eye must be properly developed and matured. Ideally LASIK patients will be over 18 years of age.
- Prior to surgery, your vision must have been stable for one year (in other words, no changes in your eyewear prescriptions).
- No eye injuries in the 12 months before surgery.
- Candidates cannot be considered if they have an autoimmune disorder.
- Candidates cannot have history of herpes infections in the eye as LASIK could bring on a recurrence of the infection.
- No scarring on the cornea prior to LASIK surgery.
- Candidates must understand the risk and the realistic expectations of what LASIK can do for them.
- LASIK is not suitable for those who are breastfeeding or pregnant on the day of the surgery.
- If you have dry eye syndrome, you will not make a good LASIK candidate.
- If your pupils dilate more than seven millimeters in the dark, then you may not make a good candidate.
If you are seeking eye surgery and considering LASIK, it is imperative that you have an evaluation with your LASIK surgeon to see if you are a good candidate for the surgery. During the eye exam, the doctor will check your eyes and review your medical history. It is also likely the surgeon will discuss the different varieties of LASIK available to you, to find the best possible option for you.
If you do make a good candidate for LASIK eye surgery, then laser eye surgery preparation will be scheduled for a convenient time. This will include the ophthalmologist checking the amount of refractive error within your eye, and cornea thickness. Following the ‘all okay’, you will be able to book a time and a date for your appointment.
Enjoy your better vision with LASIK eye surgery.