Lasik is a surgical procedure that corrects vision and reduces or eliminates the need for corrective lenses.
LASIK is a surgical procedure that uses a laser to treat refractive errors in the eye and correct vision. While a surgical procedure that eliminates the need for glasses or contacts appeals to many people, you must meet many requirements before being considered for the surgery.
What is LASIK?
During LASIK, a specially trained eye surgeon uses a laser to reshape the cornea, which is the transparent covering located at the front of the eye. In a healthy human eye, the cornea and lens work together to focus the light that enters the eye. In many eyes the cornea and lens fail to work right and do not focus the light properly. This problem, called a refractive error, causes blurred vision and can be treated by wearing glasses or contacts. Fixing the shape of the cornea allows the eye to once again focus properly; vision is clearer, without the use of glasses or contacts.
Basic Physical Requirements
Patients must be at least 18 years old to have LASIK surgery. Candidates for the procedure should have vision that remains constant for at least a year. Refractive instability, which results in vision change, is more common in people who are under 25, have fluctuating hormones, are pregnant or breast-feeding or are on certain medications. Individuals with scarred or abnormal corneas, frequently caused by disease, trauma or aging, are not generally eligible for LASIK surgery. Pupils need to be a correct size (not too large) and the cornea must be of the proper thickness for the procedure. Finally, LASIK surgery may prove futile for patients with severe vision problems or who have had LASIK or other refractive surgery before.
Disease and Condition Requirements
Medications may affect the condition of the eye as well as the body's ability to heal.
A variety of diseases and conditions make LASIK surgery far more dangerous. Patients considering LASIK cannot have had eye infections, diseased corneas, retinal diseases, herpes of the eye, eye inflammation, dry eyes or other eye injuries during the past year. Candidates for the surgery must also not have any autoimmune disorders such as multiple sclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis or lupus. Some medications, such as immunosuppressants or steroids, impact the body's ability to heal properly. Other medications may affect the eye as well. Discuss all pre-existing conditions and medications with your surgeon before having the procedure.
Lifestyle Requirements
Before having LASIK, patients must consider if their lifestyle is well suited for laser eye surgery. Some professions do not permit refractive procedures such as LASIK surgery. Candidates should consult their employers, professional society or military service to ensure there are no restrictions on the procedure. People who play contact sports, such as boxing, where facial or ocular contact is not uncommon, should also not have LASIK. Having the surgery requires post-operative visits, behavioral restrictions and special eye care. Having realistic expectations about how your vision will be affected, healing time, necessary post-operative care and the (low) risk of complications is also important for all people considering LASIK surgery.
