Have you been thinking about getting LASIK eye surgery? Are you worried that you might not qualify for the procedure?
Don’t worry! Besides LASIK, there are other options for laser eye surgery. Not sure if you’re ready for a procedure like LASIK? Keep reading for 6 signs that you’re not ready for LASIK!
You’re Too Young
The FDA has guidelines about how old you have to be to get LASIK. To safely undergo LASIK, you must be at least 18 years old.
Until you are in your late teens/early adulthood your vision is still changing. It is not recommended that you make any permanent changes to your vision until it is stable.
You Are Currently Pregnant or Breastfeeding
If you are currently pregnant or planning on becoming pregnant, you are not ready for LASIK. When you are pregnant, your hormone levels are constantly changing.
This can affect your vision. You cannot get LASIK until at least three months after you have stopped breastfeeding or lactating. Finally, to even have LASIK, you need to get your eyes dilated.
If you are pregnant, these medications can then get absorbed into the body. It can affect your unborn child and even get carried through to them by breast milk if you breastfeed.
Your Corneas Are Too Thin
LASIK improves your vision by reshaping your cornea. When your corneas are too thin, it can make a procedure like LASIK unsafe.
Removing even a small amount of tissue during LASIK on a patient with thin corneas could lead to complications.
You Have An Unstable Prescription
One of the requirements for being a good LASIK candidate is that you need to have a stable prescription. Most doctors prefer that your prescription is the same for at least a year to two years.
If your prescription is still constantly changing, you are not ready to have LASIK.
You Are Not In Good Health
To have the best recovery process possible, you need to be healthy. Specific diagnoses can make it challenging for your body to heal properly.
Examples are diabetes, glaucoma, and autoimmune conditions. Injuries and infections can also impact your vision.
Another condition that you should have under control before LASIK is dry eye. Having dry eye when you get LASIK will only make the symptoms worse.
You Can’t Afford LASIK
Unlike the cost of paying for glasses or contact lenses over time, LASIK is an upfront expense. You are investing thousands of dollars into your vision and quality of life.
Some doctors do have payment plans to make paying for LASIK more affordable. But if you cannot afford LASIK, now is not the time to get it.
What Options Are Available Besides LASIK?
PRK
During this procedure, the thin outer layer of the eye is removed. A laser is then used to reshape the cornea to refract light correctly. PRK and LASIK give patients similar results.
LASEK
This procedure involves separating the outer layer of the cornea and using a laser to reshape it. This is a good option for patients with irregularly shaped corneas, thin corneas, or those that are very nearsighted.
If you’re not a good candidate for LASIK, your doctor will discuss other laser vision correction options you may be a better fit for.
Wondering if you could be a good LASIK candidate? Find out by scheduling a LASIK consultation at Metro Eye Care in Paramus, NJ!
