A few decades ago, vision problems were considered untreatable beyond throwing on a pair of glasses and calling it a day. With the advancements of laser eye surgery, however, a wide range of vision problems can be corrected with a short outpatient procedure.
Knowing what happens during laser eye surgery—most commonly LASIK surgery—can be a bit off-putting for some. The laser reshapes the eye’s cornea, changing its ability to focus, and most patients end up with perfect 20/20 vision. For individuals who cringe every time they need to change a contact lens, the thought of a laser beam shooting directly into their eye is more than a little disturbing.
But you cannot argue with the results. Laser surgery has a great track record of correcting vision problems and it just might be able to correct yours.
With its growing popularity, affordable pricing options and proven results, hundreds of thousands of people are having LASIK surgery every year, and that number only continues to grow. But how do you know if laser eye surgery is right for you? After all, no medical procedure is a one-size-fits-all solution, and there are always risks associated with any surgical procedure.
What You Should Know Before Surgery
With any surgical procedure, there is a long list of do’s and don’ts, as well as considerations based on health, previous procedures, other medical conditions, etc. Although you’re not being put to sleep and cut open here, laser eye treatment is still considered surgery and can still be rather risky if you do not fit a certain bill.
The truth of the matter is that not everyone is the ideal candidate for laser eye surgery. There are a few requirements one must meet in order to be considered for the procedure, including:
- All patients must be at least 18 years of age before receiving laser eye surgery.
- Women who are nursing or who are pregnant should not have laser eye surgery.
- Due to the risks associated with the surgery, individuals taking any sort of prescription medication should not have laser eye surgery.
- Although the surgical procedure is most commonly sought after in order to correct vision problems, all patients receiving laser eye surgery should have “stable” vision for at least one year prior to the procedure.
- It is recommended that anyone receiving a laser eye procedure be in generally good health, so a checkup with a local physician is a good idea before proceeding.
- Any infections or serious injuries one year prior to the procedure can cause complications, so potential patients are urged to wait before having laser eye surgery.
- Patients suffering from an autoimmune disorder, like Lupus or Sjogren’s Syndrome, should not have the procedure.
- Patients cannot have scarring of the cornea if they wish to have corrective laser surgery.
- Pupils should not dilate beyond 7mm in the dark.
Overall, patients should understand that there is risk in any such procedure. Before deciding to receive laser eye surgery, be honest with yourself and with your doctor about your medical history.