Who Is the Ideal Candidate for Laser Vision Correction?
- Posted on: Aug 24 2018
Laser vision correction is a tremendously exciting opportunity for individuals that have nearsightedness, farsightedness and astigmatism, and want to reduce or eliminate their dependence on visual aids. Although laser vision correction procedures like Wavefront-Optimized LASIK and Contoura™ are normally very successful, they are not right for everyone. In this post, Dr. Gregory Pamel outlines some of the most important criteria for laser vision correction candidates.
Diagnosed with Nearsightedness, Farsightedness or Astigmatism
Laser vision correction is intended to correct the vision problems that cause nearsightedness, farsightedness and astigmatism. The ideal candidate for surgery is someone that has had one or a combination of these vision problems and must wear eyeglasses or contact lenses to see clearly.
Stable Vision Prescription
LASIK surgeons like Dr. Pamel prefer to operate on individuals that have a stable vision prescription at the time of the operation — meaning their prescription has not changed within the past six months to a year. This is important for achieving great visual outcomes.
Healthy Eyes
Ideally, candidates should not have any active eye disease or infection that could compromise the safety or success of the procedure. This includes conditions such as cataracts, severe dry eye, eye injuries or pink eye. LASIK surgery could aggravate some of these disorders and cause serious complications.
Sufficient Corneal Thickness
Most laser vision correction procedures involve creating a flap on the surface of the cornea and folding it back like a hinge to expose the underlying tissue. In order to withstand the creation of the flap, a candidate’s corneas must have sufficient thickness. Corneas that are too thin or have an irregular surface could jeopardize the surgery and its outcomes.
Awareness of the Benefits and Risks of Surgery
The best LASIK candidates are those that understand the procedure and have reasonable expectations. Dr. Pamel encourages all potential LASIK candidates to research the benefits and risks and have an in-depth discussion with a reputable laser eye surgeon before making any decisions.
Other Basic Requirements for LASIK Candidates
- At least 18 years old
- Generally healthy (no autoimmune or vascular disease)
- Healthy eye pressure
- Not pregnant or nursing
Book a LASIK Consultation
If you would like to discuss your candidacy for laser vision correction with Dr. Pamel, please call (212) 355-2215 or email Pamel Vision and Laser Group today and request an appointment.
Posted in: LASIK
