Lasik Prerequisites

Lasik eye surgery is a relatively painless procedure that helps to correct poor vision. The procedure takes place in an office setting and takes very little time to complete. To date, millions of people have benefited from this procedure.

However, despite its simplicity and the number of people who have taken advantage of this innovative technique, there is potential for serious medical complications. Therefore, before going through with the procedure, the doctor will ask a series of health-related questions and conduct a complete examination.

The Lasik eye surgeon breaks candidates into 3 categories: the ideal candidate, the less-than-ideal candidate, and the non-candidate. The following health issues may decrease a patient's status in determining whether or not he gets into that first group.

Extremely Low Vision

Due to the fact that Lasik eye surgery is limited in the amount of vision it can correct, some people are beyond the procedure's ability to help. Therefore, the FDA does not allow patients with more than +6.00 diopters of hyperopia or -14.00 diopters of myopia to undertake the surgery. In addition, patients with more than 6.00 diopters of astigmatism are ineligible according to FDA standards, as well.

The doctor determines this information easily with a refractive eye exam.

Changing Prescription

A young person's prescription for eyeglasses or contacts is constantly changing due to the fact that, while we grow, our eyes continually change size and shape. However, most prescriptions stabilize by the time a person reaches the age of 18. This is the reason that surgeons prefer operating on patients over the age of 18 and whose prescription has remained stable for at least 2 years. This helps ensure that the eyes have stopped developing; otherwise, operating on eyes that are still growing can create complications and the vision correction will become non-existent as the eyes continued to change.

Patient Health

There are certain health factors that can prevent a potential Lasik candidate from being considered ideal. Certain autoimmune disorders that slow the healing process make Lasik eye surgery a higher risk. In addition, patients with conditions that require medications such as immunosuppressants and steroids are also considered less-than-ideal because these medications also slow the healing process and increase the risk of complications.

Patients who are nursing or who are pregnant are also not considered ideal candidates for Lasik eye surgery because the shape of the eyes can be temporarily changed by hormonal changes during these times of a woman's life.

Patient Anterior Eye Health

The eye is divided into 2 portions: anterior (front) and posterior (back). The anterior portion of the eye includes the conjunctive, the cornea, the eyelids, the iris, the lens, and the sclera.

By using a biomicroscope (called a slit-lamp), the Lasik surgeon will check for abnormalities in these areas. While the patient puts his chin on a chin rest located over the examining chair, the doctor shines a light into the patient's eyes to examine the anterior area of the eye. Abnormalities in this area can decrease a patient's likelihood of being considered an ideal Lasik eye surgery patient.

Patient Posterior Eye Health

Specific eye diseases, such as diabetic retinopathy, glaucoma, and ocular hypertension, can be detected through a posterior eye exam. This area includes the blood vessels, optic nerve and retina. The fundus exam is accomplished by shining a light into the patient's eye and looking through his pupil.

Irregularly Shaped Cornea

A patient with keratoconus, where the cornea is extremely irregularly shaped, are ineligible for the procedure, because this condition gradually makes the shape of the cornea steeper until it finally becomes cone-shaped and is impossible to operate on. A small amount of irregularity in the cornea shape is fine, as with patients who have mild to moderate astigmatism.

Prior to the surgery, the surgeon examines the patient's corneal topography to determine whether or not he is an ideal candidate for Lasik eye surgery.

Thin Corneas

Some patients have corneas that are too thin, which makes it impossible to create the "flap" necessary to perform the procedure. Lasik surgery, therefore, will actually make the patient's vision worse instead of better. The doctor measures the thickness of the patient's cornea by using a pachometer.

I Can See Clearly Now

You, too, can experience the wonders of Lasik after a thorough examination and proper treatment of your visual difficulties. Lasik surgery, an extraordinary procedure, has helped thousands of people to see well.