Lasik Eye Surgery: Is It Right For You?

If you've been considering Lasik eye surgery, you're not alone. Millions of people have had the procedure to correct nearsightedness, farsightedness, and astigmatism. But is Lasik right for you? There are a few things you should take into consideration before deciding to have Lasik surgery.

What is Lasik eye surgery?

Lasik is a type of vision correction surgery that uses a laser to correct vision. The laser reshapes the cornea (the clear, round dome at the front of your eye), and helps to improve vision.

How does Lasik work?

During Lasik surgery, the doctor will use a laser to create a small flap in the cornea. The doctor then lifts the flap and uses the laser to reshape the cornea. After reshaping the cornea, the flap is put back in place and allowed to heal.

Who is a good candidate for Lasik?

Most people who need laser vision correction are good candidates for Lasik surgery. However, there are a few things that your doctor will take into consideration first, including:

• Severity of your refractive error. Your refractive error is the degree to which you are nearsighted, farsighted, or astigmatic. To be a good candidate for Lasik, you must have a refractive error that is not too severe.
• Thickness of your cornea. Lasik surgery involves making a flap in the cornea. Therefore, your cornea must be of a certain thickness to create a safe and successful flap.
• General health. Lasik surgery is a very safe procedure, but some health conditions, such as autoimmune diseases, diabetes, and certain medications, can make it risky.
• Your age. Lasik surgery is not approved for people under 18 by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) since the eyes are still changing and growing at this age.
• Health of your eyes. To be a good candidate for Lasik surgery, you must have healthy eyes. You cannot have any eye diseases or conditions that could make Lasik surgery risky.
• Stability of your vision. If your vision has changed recently, you may not be a good candidate for Lasik eye surgery because your vision needs stability for a successful outcome.

If you have any health conditions that could make Lasik eye surgery risky, you may still be a good candidate for another vision correction procedure.

What are the benefits of Lasik vision correction?

There are several benefits of Lasik eye surgery, including:

• Improved vision. The most apparent benefit of Lasik surgery is improved vision. For most people, this means seeing clearly without glasses or contact lenses.
• Safe. Lasik surgery is a very safe procedure with a low risk of complications.
• Convenience. After Lasik surgery, you will no longer need to rely on glasses or contact lenses to see clearly, which can be a great convenience, especially for people who have to wear glasses or contact lenses all the time.
• Cost-effectiveness. Lasik surgery is a very cost-effective way to improve your vision. It is a one-time procedure that can save you a lot of money in the long run on things like glasses and contact lenses.

If you're considering Lasik eye surgery, schedule a consultation with a doctor to see if you are a good candidate.