Lasik surgery is not for everyone. Once the patient has decided to have Lasik surgery, an exam needs to be done to see if they are indeed a good candidate for the procedure. There are certain criteria that must be met before Lasik can be preformed. In my home area of Los Angeles, California, you can even get a free Lasik Consultation evaluation.
First is patient age, most physicians will not perform surgery on patients that are under 21 years of age. This is to allow for growth to be completed. Patients will also need to have stable corrective prescription for about two years.
Your corneas will be examined to make sure they are thick enough for surgery to proceed safely. Corneal thickness is crucial to the making of the flap necessary for the surgery and subsequent recovery.
Your eyes will also be examined for their general health. This is so important for many reasons. While Lasik is minor surgery, it is still surgery. You will have wounds that will need to heal. Your eyes will need to be in peak health to heal rapidly. Healthy eyes also help prevent surgical site infections.
Your eye care professional will also discuss past and current medical history. If you are pregnant or nursing, your Lasik procedure will need to be delayed. You will also need to discuss any past history of ocular herpes. Lasik surgery will need to be postponed for a year after treatment of ocular herpes.
Occasionally the corrections needed are just too great for current Lasik technology. The technology surrounding Lasik is constantly improving. So if you are one of the few that can’t be helped by Lasik, don’t give up hope. As you have your regular eye exams, check with your eye care professional to see what changes have occurred in the technology. You may be pleasantly surprised.
Some conditions will need to be evaluated on a case by case basis. Those include previous corneal scars, dry eyes, and any issues that might slow healing. Those include immunosuppressant medications and steroids. Patients that have autoimmune disorders may also be at risk for healing issues.
Some patients will not be candidates for Lasik procedure. Cataract patients, those with corneal diseases, and those with corneal thinning will probably be excluded from having the procedure. Those patients that have a history of wound healing issues may also be excluded, as well as those patients with rheumatoid arthritis.
Your Los Angeles eye doctor will also discuss realistic expectation for surgery results. In fact, you can take advantage of a free Lasik Consultation Evaluation While 20/20 vision is the goal, not everyone will achieve this result. Also as you age you may well need to wear reading glasses even though your Lasik procedure was successful.
