The benefits of LASIK, including better vision, are definitely appealing. However, you may be wondering if laser eye surgery is right for you. Your expectations, medical history and the results of your 3-D eye mapping all play a role in understanding whether you are a good LASIK candidate. Determining whether you are a candidate for LASIK should begin and end with your personal eye doctor. Below are some guidelines to help you start that discussion.
Expectations
First, your doctor will ask about your expectations concerning vision after laser eye surgery. LASIK can correct nearsightedness (myopia), farsightedness (hyperopia), and astigmatism. For each individual, there is a specific amount of correction possible based on the results of your eye mapping.
At your pre-operative exam and consultation, your doctor can discuss these factors and how they meet your expectations for the surgery.
Medical History
Your medical history plays a role in determining whether you are able to undergo laser eye surgery. Your doctor will discuss these conditions with you during your pre-operative exam and consultation.
There are several conditions that make a person more likely to be a candidate for the procedure. These include:
- You are 21 years old with a refractive error
- You have healthy eyes, free from disease and corneal abnormality
- You have documented evidence that your refraction did not change by more than 1 diopters for one year before your exam
- You are informed of the risks and benefits compared to other treatments
- You can lie flat without difficulty
- You can tolerate local or topical anesthesia
- You are willing to sign an informed consent form, provided by your eye doctor
There are several conditions that may disqualify you for the procedure. These include:
- You have an autoimmune disease
- You have diabetes that has involved your eyes (i.e. retinopathy)
- You take Accutane® or Cordarone® medications
- You have a history of Herpes simplex or Herpes zoster eye infections
- You display signs of keratoconus or abnormal corneal topography
- You experience significant dry eye that is unresponsive to treatment
- You have severe allergies
- You are pregnant or nursing
- You have thin corneas
3-D Wavescan Eye Map
Your 3-D Wavescan eye map is the final step in understanding whether you are able to have your LASIK. procedure. During your pre-operative exam and consultation, your doctor will discuss the results of your 3-D eye map, which has specific information related to your eye condition.
This computerized measurement is important in planning your LASIK. Before your surgery, the WaveScan technology painlessly measures both of your eyes. This allows the technology to detect tiny imperfections. Then, the iLASIK surgeon can customize your treatment for your eyes. During the procedure, the Advanced CustomVue laser will use these exact specifications of your unique vision profile to correct your vision. This allows for the safest and most accurate surgical procedure.
To summarize, your 3-D eye map, medical history, and expectations for improved vision will all be taken into account when determining whether you are a good candidate for laser eye surgery. If you’re curious about whether you should get iLASIK, the next step is meeting with an iLASIK doctor to discuss your questions you may have.