Am I a candidate for LASIK surgery? We hear this question every day, all day. Sadly, not everyone is a good candidate for this amazing procedure, and we won’t perform the surgery unless you are. That’s why we have a free comprehensive exam to find out if you and your eyes are healthy enough to have LASIK surgery safely and effectively. Keep reading to discover the qualifications.
Why We Do a Comprehensive Eye Exam Before LASIK
It is important to us that your results are successful. We want you to be thrilled with your results. We also want you to be safe. The only way we can be sure of this outcome is if we eliminate certain patients whose eyes do not meet certain criteria.
Criteria for a LASIK Candidate
Those who qualify for LASIK eye surgery must meet the following criteria.
- The first criteria for a LASIK candidate is that you must be at least 18 years of age.
- You need have had a stable prescription for at least one year. If your prescription changes frequently, you will need to wait until it becomes stable.
- You must be in good general health and eye health. Good general health means you should not have any auto-immune diseases or issues with healing like lupus or have uncontrolled diabetes. Good eye health means free from eye diseases like glaucoma, keratoconus, and severe cataracts. Your ability to heal is a primary objective for LASIK recovery.
- You should not be pregnant or nursing. Wait until several months after nursing and you can safely have LASIK then.
- One of the screening tests you will take is to measure your corneal thickness. This is critical because you must have enough corneal tissue for the reshaping process during surgery.
- Patients should have realistic expectations post surgery. You may not have “perfect” vision in all environments and 20/20 vision cannot be guaranteed. Since the goal of LASIK is to reduce or eliminate your dependency on glasses and contacts, this should be your goal as well.
- Good mental health is also important. Let Dr. Hecht know if you get panic attacks or suffer from claustrophobia. Medications may be given prior to surgery to help you relax.
Benefits of the Pre-LASIK Appointment and Testing
The number one benefit of having a pre-LASIK appointment is to be screened for any contra-indications or reasons you should not have the surgery. Dr. Hecht will check corneal thickness, the topography of your cornea, and your prescription.
In addition, you will have ample time to ask questions and learn more about the procedure. You should not be rushed through an appointment. If you are, walk away.
You should feel comfortable that all questions have been satisfied and that you are knowledgeable about the risks.
Not everyone is a candidate for LASIK.
Find out if you can safely have LASIK eye surgery. Contact Hecht Eye Institute at (310) 370-5648 for an appointment in Beverly Hills and Lawndale.
