Important Things to Know Before Undergoing a LASIK Eye Surgery

If you suffer from visual disorders such as myopia, hyperopia or astigmatism, you may have considered LASIK laser eye surgery to correct your vision. 

Since 1994, LASIK vision correction has restored perfect vision to over 90% of the millions of patients worldwide who have undergone it. The good news? There’s a high probability that LASIK surgery is suitable for you as well. This article explains laser eye surgery and outlines the process to determine whether this intervention is the right choice for you to achieve clear, sharp vision without contact lenses or glasses.

LASIK is extremely effective, widespread, safe, and relatively painless. However, all patients seeking to benefit from it must meet three important criteria: having good overall health, having a thick enough cornea, and not having any eye disease that could compromise the surgery’s results.

First, let’s see what exactly is LASIK.

What is the LASIK Vision Correction Surgery? 

The LASIK surgery allows for the alteration of the eye cornea’s shape using a laser device. The vision issues it can address are a result of a misalignment in focusing the image on the retina, a light-sensitive membrane located at the back of the eye. The ability of your eyes to focus on an image largely depends on the shape of the cornea, the transparent front membrane of the eye. By modifying its shape with the laser, these vision problems can be corrected.

During the procedure, the surgeon makes an incision—either with a laser or a microkeratome— on the cornea, which is then folded back like a flap. Then, using a computer-guided laser, they remove a layer of underlying tissue. The cornea is afterwards put back in place. The entire procedure typically takes less than 10 minutes for both eyes, and recovery takes between 24 to 36 hours. This surgical modification addresses mild to moderate vision issues for most patients.

To ensure that a patient has no contraindications, a preoperative LASIK consultation is always necessary. It’s during this consultation that your ophthalmologist checks that you meet all the criteria.

What Are the Eligibility Criteria for LASIK?

Eye Diseases 

Anyone wishing to undergo LASIK laser eye surgery must undergo a preoperative examination to ensure their eligibility. Certain eye diseases, such as severely dry eyes, conjunctivitis, and other types of eye infections, as well as rheumatologic conditions, can impact the viability of the procedure.

Minimal Thickness of the Cornea 

Laser vision correction requires an incision in the cornea, which is then folded back to create a flap. Therefore, typically, the cornea needs to be at least 0.5 mm thick to operate safely. Our team determines the cornea’s thickness through precise tests performed in the clinic. If your cornea is too thin for this surgery, there are other types of vision corrections available, which we’d be happy to discuss with you as needed.

General Health 

Like any surgical procedure, LASIK requires the patient to have good overall health. Conditions such as diabetes or autoimmune diseases, for instance, could affect eligibility. It’s good to note that under certain conditions, you might still be eligible for the procedure even if you’re on medication that affects your immune response. Our team will be happy to work with you to determine if LASIK is the right option for you. Simply schedule a free consultation today, with no obligation on your part.

Am I Eligible for a LASIK Surgery? 

90% of people between 18 and 55 years old are perfectly eligible for LASIK. To determine if this procedure is right for you, we’ll conduct an ophthalmological test to ensure you meet all the criteria. Once that’s completed, all that’s left is to schedule your surgery. Soon, your vision will be like new, without glasses or contact lenses!

Make a Preoperative LASIK Appointment 

It’s possible that you still have questions or concerns, and that’s normal. The preoperative LASIK appointment is meant to give you the chance to ask all your questions to an expert who can reassure you and explain the ins and outs of this surgery which has freed so many people from glasses and contact lenses.

Are you wondering about the long-term effects of LASIK? Contact us, and we’ll be happy to provide you with answers. Looking forward to helping you see things more clearly!