Being able to see the beauty of the world is one of the greatest gifts of life. But what if this privilege is gradually degrading as you age? Some people are born with poor eyesight, while others develop eye problems while they grow old. It’s a good thing that eye doctors have discovered a modern method for vision correction which is laser (LASIK) eye surgery. In this article, we are going to figure out the requirements to be a qualified LASIK eye surgery candidate. Laser is often used in dentistry too, it has become one of the contemporary methods used by health professionals.
What is Lasik Eye Surgery
LASIK, or in medical terms, laser in-situ keratomileusis. It is a famous laser eye surgery all over the world that provides vision correction solutions for people who are suffering from nearsightedness and farsightedness.
The procedure concludes by reshaping the cornea to make the focus of the light go directly to the retina. Blurry vision occurs because the light does not correctly focus on the retina causing a refractive error.
Lasik eye surgery typically fixes eye problems such as:
- Myopia. Myopia is commonly known as nearsightedness. It is a condition that lets you see clearly when the subject is close to you, and make things blurry when they are far from you.
- Hyperopia. Also known as farsightedness, hyperopia is the total opposite of myopia. This makes you see things clearly when they are far from you.
- Astigmatism. A condition that makes your overall vision blurry.
Good Candidates for Lasik Eye Surgery
Unfortunately, laser eye surgery is not recommended for everyone. According to eye doctors, a good candidate for Lasik eye surgery must meet the following criteria:
- Healthy eyes. This means that your eyes, (even though in need of vision correction) are free of infection and injury. They should not be exhibiting symptoms of dryness and conjunctivitis. Your eye doctor may require you to let your eyes fully heal first before you qualify for Lasik eye surgery.
- Thick cornea. In order for laser eye surgery to be successful, your cornea must be thick enough to be reshaped. A thin or irregularly shaped cornea could result in worse vision problems and may even affect the results negatively.
- Correct pupil size. Some people have naturally large pupils and if they opt for Lasik eye surgery, this may put them at risk of side effects like glares, starbursts, and halos. These effects could impair their vision and make it difficult for them to have a great sight, especially at night.
- Eye prescription is within the limits. You may not be deemed as a good candidate for vision correction surgery if you have an eye prescription that exceeds the limits. Lasik eye surgery may not be suggested but you’re most probably will be recommended to other options.
- Age requirements. Normally, people over the age of 21 are allowed to undergo eye surgery without parental consent. However, patients below 20 need to submit a letter of permission from their parents or legal guardian.
- Health condition. A good candidate for the Lasik vision correction procedure must be in good health. Eye doctors are very particular when it comes to people with autoimmune diseases since their health condition could greatly affect the results. Poor health can also interfere with the healing process.
- Not for pregnant women. If you are currently pregnant, your appointment for Lasik eye surgery will be delayed due to the possible effects of hormonal changes in your body. Your ye doctor will ask you to wait after the pregnancy to make sure that your hormones and vision are back to normal.
Lasik Eye Surgery Procedure
A candidate for laser eye surgery must expect the following procedure to conclude during the operation:
- You will be put under a mild sedative through an eye drop.
- A microkeratome or a femtosecond laser will be used to make a thin opening in your cornea.
- Another laser will be used to fix the shape of the cornea tissues from below.
- The eye doctor will close it again and the procedure is done.
Usually, the entire surgery takes only 20 minutes to finish and is typically painless.
Aftercare Procedures
To guarantee that the results of the surgery are not compromised. You will need to follow certain aftercare treatments. Firstly, you need someone to drive you home after the surgery. Make sure to bring a trusted friend that can assist you.
Always wear the protective eye shield provided by your clinic for the time period that you’re asked to wear it. You may also take a bath on the following day after the surgery, but be sure to avoid soap or any products getting in contact with your eyes.
A day after your surgery, you will be asked by the doctor to avoid straining your eyes. Reading, watching TV, using gadgets, and playing video games must be restricted to give the eyes enough time to rest following the operation.
After a week or two, you may proceed to perform moderate physical activities except for contact sports. Be sure to always bring sunglasses whenever you go out to avoid extreme exposure to the sun. Makeup, lotions, and facial creams are still not recommended at this stage.
Eye doctors also suggest avoiding swimming for the next 2 weeks as large bodies of water could be contaminated and may infect your eyes.
After a month, you may return to your normal activities but still be cautious when it comes to protecting your eyes. Remember that, they are still not fully healed at this point.
It will take at least 3 to 6 months before your eyes become fully healed. In some cases, myopia takes a longer time to recover and heal. To guarantee that your eyes are healing well and are recovering accordingly, do not forget to attend your follow-up appointments.
