When Should I Get Lasik?

When Should I Get Lasik?

Many of our patients talk about how they have known that they wanted Lasik long before they ever walked into our office. However, they often think that they need to wait for a variety of reasons. While there are some reasons that you should wait to get crystal clear vision without the aid of prescription lenses, there are also many myths surrounding the timing of Lasik surgery.

 

Understanding Lasik

If you have ever considered Lasik surgery, you probably already have a general idea about the procedure creating a great vision for you without the aid of glasses or contact lenses, but we think it is important to understand the basics of Lasik so that you can evaluate if it is a good fit for you first.
 

Lasik is actually an acronym for Laser-Assisted in-situ Keratomileusis. While there are some variations of Lasik, the procedure can correct nearsightedness (myopia), farsightedness (hyperopia) and astigmatism. The procedure utilizes a laser in order to correct the shape of the cornea. Your cornea is responsible for focusing light on the retina so your brain can process the image. If the focal point ends up not falling directly onto the retina, you end up with blurry vision at different distances.
 

Lasik uses a laser to make microscopic changes with each pass over the cornea to bring it back into the proper shape. This means that your cornea will be able to properly focus light on your retina leaving you with great vision! Most patients experience a vision correction that allows them to drive without the use of a prescription lens.

 

Who Should Consider Lasik

The Lasik procedure has decades of research and uses to correct vision. This means that it is considered a safe and effective procedure for correcting a variety of vision problems. Of course, Lasik is not a great fit for every person. At University Optometric Center we want to make sure that you are happy with your choice to have Lasik surgery, so we will do everything we can to make sure it is a good option for you. However, there are a few things that you should know if you are considering the procedure.
 

Are Your Eyes Healthy – There are a variety of issues that can arise with your eyes. Lasik should only be performed on eyes that are generally healthy. If you have a degenerative eye disease, like keratoconus, you need to exercise extreme caution when considering Lasik. In addition, if you have an eye infection like keratitis, uveitis, or herpes simplex that affects the eye or surrounding area, you may not be a good candidate for Lasik.
 

Do You Need Extreme Vision Changes – If your prescription is incredibly strong, Lasik may not be a good approach for you. Typically, we recommend Lasik for patients with mild to moderate vision correction needs. If you are not sure if Lasik is good for you, call University Optometric Center today to schedule a consultation.
 

Are You Healthy – There are certain health conditions that may mean that you shouldn’t have Lasik, or that your eye doctor needs to be aware of. Diabetes, HIV, autoimmune disorders, depression and many other medical conditions can complicate your ability to properly heal. It is important to make sure that our staff knows about any underlying conditions before you have your operation.
 

Stable Vision – Lasik is best for patients who have stable vision. This means that your prescription hasn’t changed in some time. This allows the results of your Lasik procedure to last longer.
 

How Old Are You – Children and young adults have rapidly changing eyes due to their growth. For this reason, Lasik is not recommended for patients under 18 years of age.

 

Overview

If you think that Lasik might be right for you, contact University Optometric Center in Irvine, CA today to schedule a consultation and put yourself on the path to a clearer vision now (949) 216-8900!