Though laser vision correction has the potential to greatly reduce or eliminate dependency on corrective lenses, there can be no assurance that you will obtain perfect vision. It has been our experience at Dishler Laser Institute that those patients who were most satisfied with the results of their laser vision correction were those who fully understood the criteria for eligibility, had realistic expectations of what their vision would be like after LASIK surgery and clearly understood the potential risks and side effects associated with surgery.
Are you eligible for LASIK?
Not everyone can have refractive surgery. Eligibility depends on your age, the amount of refractive error in your prescription, the degree of curvature of your cornea and the overall thickness of your cornea. In addition, there are numerous medical conditions that your eye care doctor must evaluate before declaring you a suitable candidate for LASIK. The following profiles should be a starting point for determining your eligibility, however, your suitability for refractive surgery can best be determined through a personal consultation with an eye doctor. We provide thorough, no cost consultations to determine if you are a good candidate.
You are ineligible for LASIK if:
- You are under 21 years of age
- Your prescription has not been stable (+/- 0.5d) for the last 12 months
- You have a prescription that falls outside the acceptable range for LASIK
- You have eye diseases such as keratoconus, glaucoma, cataracts and certain retinal and optic nerve diseases
- You have eye viruses such as herpes simplex and herpes zoster
- You have Aids/HIV +
- You are pregnant, actively nursing or have not had two menstrual cycles since nursing was discontinued
- You suffer from an autoimmune disease (Lupus, Crohn's, Rheumatoid)
- You are taking drugs or undergoing therapy that suppresses your immune system
- You are afflicted with unstable or uncontrollable diabetes
- You are afflicted with an uncontrolled vascular disease
- There are laser vision correction surgery restrictions mandated by your employer.
You should alert your eye doctor if:
- You have a history of excessive scarring with injuries or other surgeries
- You have severe dry eye syndrome
- Previous eye surgery or injury
- You have eye conditions such as amblyopia (lazy eye), strabismus (muscle imbalance)
- You have any recurrent, residual or active eye conditions which may affect healing
- You have psychological problems which may affect the surgery or healing
Are you a good candidate for LASIK?
Not everyone who is medically qualified to have LASIK should. Realistic expectations are a major factor in determining if you are a good candidate for LASIK. Answering the following questions may help you determine if laser vision correction is right for you.
- Do you have a strong desire to be less dependent on glasses or contact lenses?
- Do your glasses interfere with your job, sports or daily activities?
- Do you clearly understand and accept the risks of surgery?
- Do you clearly understand that the effects of LASIK are permanent and that these effects do not wear off?
- Do you understand that laser vision correction requires follow-up examinations at very specific intervals?
- Do you have the time to attend these examinations?
- Do you understand that Presbyopia (the need for reading glasses after 40) is not correctable by LASIK?
- Do you understand that no surgeon or clinic can promise you a specific result, because that simply isn't possible?
Each prospective patient is different, and his or her individual needs will vary. Although we can give you an excellent idea about your situation over the telephone, the only way to accurately assess your particular case is through a personal examination and consultation with a doctor qualified in laser vision correction. At Dishler Laser Institute our statistics show we decline to do surgery on over 20% of prospective patients who present to us for consultations. The reasons vary from various medical conditions to unrealistic expectations. We want your decision to be based on facts, not on hopes or misconceptions and the best way to accomplish this is through a personal consultation with one of our experienced doctors.
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