LASIKS eye surgery has become a popular choice among people with vision problems who do not want to depend on glasses or contacts to see properly. It is certainly easy to see why. This refractive eye surgery is usually done in an office, there is relatively little pain involved and most people’s vision is improved by the day following the surgery.
Because of these benefits, many people who see the ads or hear of this surgery want to rush off and have it thinking it will cure all their vision problems. This is simply not the case and the truth is while this surgery can help many people it is not for everyone and large numbers of people simply do not qualify for this type of surgery.
What This Surgery Does
LASIKS eye surgery improves sight in some people by basically reshaping the cornea by creating a flap and removing tiny bits of tissue. This reshaping may improve the vision of people who are near or far sighted and have reading as well as other vision problems. It is not however, a miracle cure and certain people and conditions simply cannot be helped by this. Here are just a few reasons why LASIKS eye care may not be for you.
* Age plays a factor. In order for LASIKS surgery to be successful your eyes must reach a point where they are no longer rapidly changing. 18 years old is the minimum age when this surgery will be performed and many people are often asked to wait until they are in their mid- twenties.
* Anyone with fluctuating hormones due to disease such as diabetes or women who are pregnant are not good candidates for surgery since hormonal changes can affect your vision
* Anyone who takes medications that can affect your vision
* anyone who has had their prescription for their glasses changed within the past year
* Anyone who has a disease or takes medication that slows the wound healing process
* Those who participate in contact sports
* Anyone with thin corneas
* Anyone who suffers from dry eye as the surgery will make this condition worse
* Anyone who cannot pay the cost of such surgery as it is often not covered by insurance.
* Anyone not prepared to take the risks associated with this type of surgery
Looking at the list of people who don’t qualify for LASIKS eye surgery, some people may wonder if anyone actually does qualify for this surgery. The answer is yes, some people not only qualify but have this surgery and experience little or no problem.
However, before considering having this surgery you will need to talk to your Ophthalmologist and have a through eye examination done. The Ophthalmologist will then determine if your eye problem is one that that can be corrected by LASIKS surgery and will also have to determine the following:
* That your vision has been stable for at least a year
* That you have had no eye injuries or infections for the last year
* That you have no auto-immune disorders
* That there is no scarring of the cornea
* That you have been informed and understand all the risks that are associated with this surgery and that you are willing to accept those risks.
While some people think that the requirement for having LASIKS surgery are perhaps a little unreasonable the truth is that the professionals who perform this type of surgery are committed to improving your vision. If they feel that this surgery has little or no chance of improving your vision or in fact, may make your vision worse than they simply will not perform the procedure because they know that your eyesight has to last you a lifetime.
While those who do not qualify for LASIKS surgery may feel disappointed, they shouldn’t. Instead, they should feel pleased that there are caring professionals dedicated to protecting as well as improving your eyesight whenever possible.
If you are thinking about LASIKS surgery then visit your Ophthalmologist and discuss the possibility of having this type of surgery with him or her. You may be one of the people who do qualify and can benefit from this surgery.