Is LASIK Eye Surgery Right for You? Here’s How to Decide

Is LASIK Eye Surgery Right for You Here's How to Decide

Is LASIK Eye Surgery Right for You Here's How to Decide

Are you considering dropping spectacles and contact lenses by getting LASIK eye surgery?
LASIK (Laser-Assisted In Situ Keratomileusis) may achieve this for some people. However, it does
not apply to every situation.

If you’re unsure whether LASIK is suitable for you, we will provide information to help you make an informed decision.
decision. Note that the best way to tell if you’re a candidate for LASIK is still to see an ophthalmologist
for a personal consultation, however

What Is LASIK?

LASIK is a type of refractive surgery that involves reshaping the cornea with a precision laser. The
procedure is often used to correct issues like these:

• Myopia or short-sightedness
• Hyperopia or long-sightedness
• Astigmatism is caused by the irregular shape of the cornea

Typically, a LASIK procedure begins with creating a thin flap on the cornea. That flap is peeled back
to allow access to the underlying tissue.

The underlying tissue is then reshaped with an excimer laser. The reshaping aims to correct the
refractive issue the patient is experiencing, adjusting the eye’s focusing power.

A high number of LASIK patients achieve improved vision after the procedure. That being said, there
are still risks to this procedure – as indeed is true of all medical procedures.

The Eligibility Criteria for LASIK

Not everyone is a suitable candidate for LASIK. Ophthalmologists assess patients in several areas to
determine whether they are eligible for the procedure or if it’s likely to benefit them.

Here are some of the key requirements for LASIK eligibility:

1. Healthy eyes: This means your eyes should have no medical issues such as active
infections, cataracts, or unmanaged glaucoma. Keratoconus (a condition in which the cornea
bulges) is also a common disqualifying condition. This is because it affects the thickness of
the corneal tissue, and LASIK requires the cornea to be at normal thickness for safety.

2. Stable vision: If your vision has been changing significantly for at least one year, you may
not be eligible for LASIK. Age also matters, in this respect, as patients younger than 18 are
typically not advised to get it. This is because their eyes are still developing and trying to
correct refractive errors, which can lead to problems.

3. Overall health: Being in poor health or having a condition that can impair your body’s ability
to heal may also be a disqualification factor, as it renders surgery riskier. Examples of
conditions to consider are autoimmune diseases and uncontrolled diabetes.

4. Prescription within treatable limits: Most doctors prefer to stay within certain limits for
LASIK treatments, e.g. up to -12.00 dioptres for myopia and up to 6.00 dioptres for hyperopia
or astigmatism.

Are the Benefits and Risks Tolerable for You?

The main potential benefit of LASIK is improved quality of life. You will have to struggle less with
vision problems if it successfully corrects your refractive error.

However, there are also possible side effects and a few relatively rare potential complications, as mentioned earlier. For example, people who undergo the procedure sometimes experience temporary dry eyes. On occasion, this can last for weeks or even months after the surgery.

Other temporary side effects are glare and halos. These will generally improve over time, but they can be troubling to some for the duration.

There are also persistent or more serious complications possible, even if they are fairly rare. These include persistent dry eye and corneal ecstasia or weakening of the corneal structure. The former can cause discomfort, while the latter can cause visual distortion.

How to Decide If You Should Get LASIK or Not

Ultimately, the best way to decide whether or not to get LASIK eye surgery is to see an eye doctor for
a consultation. Your doctor can evaluate your case and condition to provide a professional recommendation on what you may gain or risk during the procedure.

Don’t be afraid to ask your doctor questions during the consultation. That way, you can make a wellinformed decision based on both expert advice and your own consideration.