Who Is A Good Candidate For LASIK Surgery

Nowadays, a large number of people choose to undergo LASIK (Laser Assisted In situ Keratomileusis) surgery due to its efficacy in improving defective vision and the overall safety of the procedure. If you are one of the millions of people considering LASIK, it is imperative that you understand that needs and issues concerning vision differ in every age bracket.

Good Candidates for LASIK

A vast majority of all nearsighted people are probable candidates for this type of laser treatment but that is yet to be narrowed down by several factors. The age of prospective patients for LASIK surgery is important in determining whether this procedure is right for you. Only those who are at least 18 years old having mild to moderate nearsightedness and without health problems or ocular issues are recommended.

Before submitting yourself to the procedure, you should first assess what it is you want from this course of action. Although a person’s prescription might make him or her suitable candidate for the laser assisted method of vision correction, it is imperative that one’s hope is within bounds. Once you know what it is you want you should then evaluate the likelihood of attaining your desire. This will get rid of the possibility of being disappointed even if the surgery proved to be a methodological success. Having adequate information of the process will help you formulate reasonable expectations regarding the procedure’s outcome.

Ideally, candidates for the surgery are those who are uncomfortable wearing their contact lenses or glasses. Motivation must root from wanting to make a change whether in the aspect of occupation or lifestyle.

Refractive surgeries including LASIK might offer the practicality of a lesser need for corrective lenses. There is no guarantee that the result will exactly the way you supposed. Post operatively, your vision will most likely be excellent but no one can assure you a 20/20 visual acuity.

Irrational Beliefs

It would be irrational for you to expect that after undergoing LASIK surgery your vision will revert to 20/20. The goal of this method is for you to be rid of your glasses not to correct the defect. Normally, the benchmark is the sharpness of your old vision with glasses. This means that even without using your prescribed glasses you will have relatively good vision just like when you are wearing them.

The odds of entirely and forever eliminating the need for contacts or glasses are quite miniscule. Despite LASIK’s ability to decrease the refractive error of your vision or most probably eradicate it, your eyes will persist to change after surgery and at approximately the same rate as before.

Another thing to point out is the natural course that your eyes take. Eventually, the majority of us will require reading glasses for presbyopia since this is a normal aspect of aging. Also, developing cataracts is a natural phenomenon. This should be removed unless a pair of glasses will be needed.

A good LASIK patient is someone who is able to meet the general requisites. A comprehensive eye examination by an ophthalmologist or a proficient physician for eye care will help determine whether you have an increased risk for a poor result. Through the pre operative assessment, safety is being promoted and the risks factors associated to LASIK are reduced if not eradicated. Most of all, this will ensure that you have in fact satisfied the recommended conditions.

General Guidelines

1.    Candidate must be 18 years old and above.

2.    Ascertain that the eye has properly developed and matured.

3.    Vision has been stable for at least a year prior to surgery.

4.    There is no evident infection or injury within the past year.

5.    Candidates must not exhibit autoimmune disorders such Lupus or Sjogren’s Syndrome.

6.    Patient must have no history of herpes infections affecting the eye since LASIK may cause its recurrence.

7.    No scars are present on the cornea.

8.    Patient’s pupil must not exhibit a dry eye syndrome.

9.    Patient’s pupil must not dilate beyond 7mm in the dark.

10.    Candidate must not be pregnant or nursing.

Sentiments of a Good Candidate

1.    Dislike his/her dependence on corrective lenses in order to have clear vision.

2.    Poor compliance in wearing contact lens.

3.    Participation in activities is restricted due to wearing of corrective lenses.

4.    Able to adjust well to change.

5.    Fairly relaxed person.