Am I a Good Candidate for Lasik?

 

If you’re considering LASIK vision correction surgery, you may be surprised to know that your eye surgeon’s most important consideration is your overall eye health. Individuals with current or previous eye conditions or certain autoimmune disorders may not qualify for LASIK. That’s why it’s so important to begin your LASIK journey with a comprehensive eye examination and a frank discussion about your medical and vision history.

The best candidates for LASIK meet these criteria:

· Mild to moderate nearsightedness, farsightedness, or astigmatism

· A stable corrective lens prescription for the past 12 months

· Sufficient thickness of the cornea

· Good overall health condition

· 18 years of age or older

· Not currently pregnant or nursing

· Grounded, realistic expectations of surgical outcome

· Solid understanding of possible risks and complications

General Risks and Complications

Studies show that satisfaction rates for LASIK surgery are high. 98% of LASIK patients report excellent vision 12 months after surgery. But LASIK is surgery and, as with all surgery, lasik carries some risks, including:

· Glare, halos, or double vision, worse at night or in low light

· Under- or over-correction

· Severe dry eyes. Surgery may temporarily or permanently reduce tear production, causing discomfort and reduced quality of vision

· Individuals with large pupils or thin corneas do not have good results

· You may still require glasses, reading glasses or contacts, regardless of the best surgical outcome

Understanding Monovision

Monovision treats presbyopia, correcting one eye for distance vision and the other eye for near vision. Some individuals cannot tolerate monovision and others do quite well. Most patients undergoing monovision still need to wear glasses or contacts when driving or reading small print to help both eyes see equally.

Presbyopia is an age related condition that continues to worsen despite LASIK surgery.

Choosing the Right Physician

The eye surgeon you choose to perform your LASIK procedure should be a board certified ophthalmologist with the training and experience in performing the LASIK procedure of your choice. Dr. Murad Sunalp is an international surgical vision expert board certified in ophthalmology and refractive surgery from the University of Southern California, Dr. Sunalp’s private practice began in 1985, and he has performed thousands of LASIK procedures for the residents of Tulare, CA and the surrounding areas, using the most advanced laser vision correction techniques and equipment.

About the Author

Would you like to find out more about how LASIK can help you? Please contact us now to schedule your no-cost consultation with Dr. Sunalp.