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Lasik Eye Surgery

If you're tired of wearing glasses or contact lenses, you may be considering Lasik eye surgery. It's one of the newest procedures to correct vision problems. Before you sign up for the surgery, get a clear picture of what you can expect.
 

  • Lasik is surgery to a very delicate part of the eye.
  • Millions of people have had Lasik. Most, very successfully.
  • As with any surgery, there are risks and possible complications.
  • Lasik may not give you perfect vision. The American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO) reports that seven out of 10 patients achieve 20/20 vision, but 20/20 does not always mean perfect vision.

     

    Are You a Good Candidate for Lasik?
     

  • Lasik is not for everyone.
  • You should be at least 18 years old (21 for some lasers), since the vision of people younger than 18 usually continues to change.
  • You should not be pregnant or nursing as these conditions might change the measured refraction of the eye.
  • You should not be taking certain prescription drugs, such as Accutane or oral prednisone.
  • Your eyes must be healthy and your prescription stable. If you're myopic, you should postpone Lasik until your refraction has stabilized, as myopia may continue to increase in some patients until their mid- to late 20s.
  • You should be in good general health. Lasik may not be recommended for patients with diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, glaucoma, herpes infections of the eye, or cataracts. You should discuss this with your surgeon.
  • Weigh the risks and rewards. If you're happy wearing contacts or glasses, you may want to forego the surgery.
  • Understand your expectations from the surgery. Are they realistic?
  • Ask your doctor if you're a candidate for monovision ? correcting one eye for distance vision and the other eye for near vision. Lasik cannot correct presbyopia so that one eye can see at both distance and near. However, Lasik can be used to correct one eye for distance and the other for near. If you can adjust to this correction, it may eliminate or reduce your need for reading glasses. In some instances, surgery on only one eye is required. If your doctor thinks you're a candidate, ask about the pros and cons.