Perfect vision is represented by the expression 20/20. But did you know that only a portion of the US population actually has a perfect vision?
According to a study, 65% of the adult US population suffers from poor vision. However, when considering individuals who achieve 20/20 vision with corrective measures like glasses or lenses, this figure decreases to 25%.
Among many options for corrective vision surgeries, LASIK (laser-assisted situ keratomileusis) is not only the most popular option but also one of the safest and most effective treatments, with a 99% success rate.
What Is LASIK Eye Surgery?
LASIK is a refractive eye surgery that can help you get rid of your glasses and contacts forever. After all, if you can achieve perfect vision, why would you want to confine your face to glasses or spend tons of money on contact lenses? Furthermore, those who have had the surgery can’t stop raving about how it improved their quality of life.
How Can You Prepare For One?
One of the most important steps leading up to surgery is finding a reputable eye clinic to get it done. The vision care industry in the US is worth a whopping $38 billion. Looking at the staggering numbers, you won’t have trouble finding competent eye surgeons anywhere in the US, whether you’re from Texas, Illinois, or California.
Furthermore, even if you don’t have difficulty finding eye care facilities wherever you are, you should still do some research to find the best one.
For instance, if you’re from Texas, look for a facility with a track record of success to ensure your operation goes smoothly. Kleiman Evangelista Eye Center is one of the most popular LASIK surgery Arlington, Texas facilities, as they have performed over 250K successful corrective surgeries. Moreover, patients have nothing but nice things to say about the facility and its staff.
But Is LASIK For You?
Most people with LASIK can see well at 20/20 vision or even better than that. However, even though LASIK has many advantages, it’s not for everyone. Before choosing to get this surgery, it’s only right to learn whether it is right for you.
The first step to getting the surgery is researching all its requirements. This surgery is for you if you suffer from mild to moderate refractive flaws, such as myopia, presbyopia, or astigmatism. To get the surgery, you must meet the requirements outlined below:
- You need to be over 18.
- Your cornea shouldn’t be too thin.
- You shouldn’t be pregnant.
- Your eyes should be healthy except for the need for corrective vision.
What Makes You A Good Candidate For LASIK?
If you have poor eyesight and need glasses or contacts, you are likely a good candidate for LASIK. Below are the characteristics of anyone who can benefit from this procedure.
1. You suffer from nearsightedness
Nearsighted eyes, or eyes that have trouble focusing on distant objects, may benefit from LASIK by reducing the cornea’s central thickness and flattening its front surface. However, corneas can only be flattened to a certain extent. Thus, LASIK isn’t the optimal choice for anyone with severe myopia.
2. You suffer from Farsightedness
LASIK treats farsightedness, characterized by trouble focusing on nearby objects, by corneal reshaping, in which the cornea’s central region becomes steeper. While it is possible to treat farsightedness, there is a limit to how much improvement LASIK can bring to your vision. After all, steepening can only be done to a certain extent without compromising visual quality. If LASIK cannot treat farsightedness completely, your surgeon may suggest another procedure.
3. You suffer from Astigmatism
When combined with refractive error, whether myopia or presbyopia, astigmatism—characterized by distorted and fuzzy vision or an irregularly curved or flattened cornea—may be corrected by LASIK to a certain extent. LASIK surgery can fix this condition by rounding out the irregular curvature.
Factors To Consider Before Making The Final Choice
Apart from the above requirements, there are some factors you need to consider before making the final choice. After all, even though the surgery is largely successful, there is still a minuscule possibility of side effects and complications. In the worst-case scenario, you may suffer dry eye syndrome, visual impairments, and even a loss of vision; going under the laser puts you at risk for everything you never want to experience.
1. Healthy eyes
The first question you should ask yourself before deciding is, “are your eyes healthy?” In most cases, those with mild refractive error and no other uncommon visual issues are good candidates for LASIK surgery. If you’re about to undergo eye surgery, your doctor will want to know everything about your eyes and vision history to rule out any potential risks. This includes, but is not limited to:
- Any eye diseases that affect your vision and the thickness of the cornea
- Cataracts or glaucoma
- You suffered injuries to the eye
- Dry eyes
- Large pupils
- Eye inflammation or infection
- Severe myopia
You should reconsider your decision if your overall vision isn’t affected badly by the refractive error, as the benefits you may get from surgery don’t justify the risks.
2. Good general health
Another important consideration is your general health. Your eye doctor will also likely do a thorough health history assessment. Some medical issues, although independent of your eye area, can exacerbate the procedure’s risks and even make it hard to predict the outcomes. This includes, but is not limited to:
- Diseases or conditions that may weaken your immune system, reducing your body’s capacity to recover and increasing your susceptibility to infection, including autoimmune disorders and deficiencies such as Crohn’s disease, Lupus, Celiac, and HIV, among others.
- Using an immunosuppressant drug for therapeutic or preventative purposes.
- Diabetic retinopathy and other problems may arise if your diabetes is not under control.
3. Stability of your vision
Myopic eyesight can vary throughout the adolescent years and beyond, necessitating frequent adjustments to corrective lenses. Those interested in LASIK eye surgery should be at least 18 years old, ideally older.
Vision changes are also possible with pregnancy, lactation, and using steroids, among other illnesses and treatments. If your eyesight isn’t stable, it’s not the right time to have LASIK.
Bottom Line
LASIK is a life-changing surgery. It frees you from the need to put on glasses or contacts every day of your life. And when it comes to whether it is right for you, there are no right or wrong answers. All you need to do is carefully consider the factors and the risks associated with the procedure and see whether you fit the bill for a safe procedure.
The most important point is to keep your expectations in check while weighing the pros and cons of the procedure. Don’t forget to consult a qualified eye surgeon if you have any questions. The bottom line is, don’t rush into getting the surgery without properly considering how it may affect you, positively or otherwise.
