LASIK Surgery

LASIK is one of the most popular surgical options for people with nearsightedness (myopia), farsightedness (hyperopia) and astigmatism to be free from contact lenses or glasses. It is generally a safe and effective treatment and also a less painless one compare to PRK and other eye surgery methods found before LASIK. Even though LASIK eye surgery is performed on many patients in the world on a daily basis, unfortunately, not everyone is a good candidate for LASIK. So, if you are contemplating LASIK or other laser eye surgery, you must know that you are an ideal LASIK candidate or not. We provide you with general requirements of a good LASIK candidate, but surely you must arrange a pre-operative consultation with an ophthalmologist or refractive surgeon who will help determine whether you are an ideal LASIK candidate or not by having you to undergo a thorough examination.

Below are several requirements to qualify you as an ideal LASIK candidate:
1. You have one of the common types of refractive errors - nearsightedness (myopia), farsightedness (hyperopia), astigmatism or a combination thereof (myopia with astigmatism or hyperopia with astigmatism), with low to moderate degrees. Current FDA-approved lasers for LASIK can correct patients with myopia up to -12 diopters (D), hyperopia up to +6 D and astigmatism up to 6 D. However, it is expected that severe refractive errors will be able to be treated with LASIK in the future, as technology continues to evolve and improve.

2. You are over 18 years of age and have had a stable contact lens or glasses prescription for at least two years. People at 18 years of age or younger are not eligible because they tend to have a non-stable vision or their visions has not fully developed yet. Moreover, there are currently no FDA-approved lasers for LASIK on patients under the age or 18.

3. You are aware of the cost of LASIK surgery and sure that it is affordable. Most medical insurance does not cover the LASIK procedure because it is considered a cosmetic type of surgery.

4. You do not have a job that prohibit certain refractive procedures. Check with your employer or military service or professional society before deciding take the LASIK eye surgery.

5. You are not actively participate in contact sports such as boxing, wrestling, martial arts or other similar activities in which blows to the face and eyes are a normal occurrence.

Are You a Good Candidate for LASIK page 2