Good LASIK Candidate?
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Good LASIK Candidate?
Good LASIK Candidate?
Perfect vision is something everybody hopes to have throughout their life may be impossible
due to many factors including age, lifestyle, and disease. Common vision problems such as
astigmatism, farsightedness, and nearsightedness hamper your ability to perceive objects
without any visual aids. If you are suffering from any of these, a popular option for
correcting it is LASIK. It is important to know if you are a good LASIK candidate.
LASIK is a surgical procedure which improves your vision and removes the need for
corrective lenses. It is fast-becoming a popular method of eye surgery with a successful track
record. So, are you a suitable candidate to undergo LASIK surgery? Answer these questions
to find out.
How old are you?
LASIK can be performed only if you are 18 years or older. Less than that and you have to
carry on with glasses till you are eligible. CustomVue LASIK is approved in patients 21 years of age and older.
Do you meet FDA guidelines?
There is a minimum requirement in terms of strength of the prescription which will put
you on the list for surgery. FDA guidelines mandating the size of your pupils, thickness of
the cornea, eye pressure, and health of the retina are examined in order to reduce risks
during and after the procedure. Additionally, your prescription should be stable (without
any changes) for at least a year.
How is your financial condition?
LASIK surgery can easily cost $2000 per eye, which means you are paying $4000 to have
your vision corrected. LASIK surgeries are not covered by many insurance plans so you
may have to pay it out of your pocket. If you are able to find a convenient financial plan
to fund the surgery, then go ahead; else stick to your glasses or contacts.
Do you engage in contact sports regularly?
If you are active in wrestling, boxing, or martial arts where there is a fair amount of
punches thrown at your face and eyes, LASIK is not a suitable choice. You might not be a good LASIK candidate, but other surgeries might be available such as ICL surgery.
Are you afflicted with any disease or on any medication?
A number of diseases interfere with and delay the healing process after LASIK surgery.
Serious conditions such as HIV, lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, diabetes, ocular herpes,
infection, and even dry eyes can affect how fast your eyes can heal. Medications such as
steroids also prevent the eyes from healing properly. The risk to undergo LASIK surgery
is, therefore, high.
Consider the side effects, risks, and procedures involved in LASIK before opting for it.
Wearing glasses or contacts can be a hassle but they may not be required all the time. If you
need them rarely or for performing tasks such as reading, then LASIK is not necessary.
