Thinking about LASIK Eye Surgery? Ask Your Doctor These Questions

Clear, comfortable vision isn’t just about seeing well; it’s about living well. As our dominant sense, vision plays a vital role in our overall quality of life. Indeed, good vision can lead to a healthier, happier you.

If you live with a vision condition and long to break free from your eyeglasses or contacts, LASIK (laser eye surgery) may be able to help you see clearly and better than ever without corrective lenses.

It must be noted that LASIK isn’t for everyone, and it’s important to thoroughly discuss the benefits and risks with your optometrist before committing to the procedure.

The Basics of LASIK Eye Surgery

LASIK corrective eye surgery is a procedure done to a very delicate part of the eye. With millions of people already living with improved vision thanks to LASIK, the definition of success is important to understand.

LASIK 20/20 and 20/40 vision are common phrases when discussing this procedure. How do these measurements compare to your current vision correction with glasses or contact lenses?

The American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO) reports that nine out of 10 patients achieve somewhere between 20/20 and 20/40 vision.

20/40 vision, however, may not be sharp enough for certain work or leisure activities. In fact, even 20/20 vision does not always equate to perfect vision.

LASIK results all depend on your eye health and condition before the surgery. For many, LASIK is a life-changing procedure, but you must discover if you are a good candidate or not and learn the pros and cons:

Are You a Good Candidate for LASIK?

Generally speaking, good candidates for laser eye surgery are:

 
18 years and older – preferably in their mid-20s and older:
Even though LASIK is an elective procedure, optometrists usually strongly suggest only patients aged 18 and older get the surgery. Why? Good candidates for LASIK have a stable prescription for at least two years. Since vision changes rapidly as a child grows, prescriptions can adjustment several times before the age of 18.

In fact, most optometrists encourage patients to wait until they enter their mid-20s, when their prescription is likely more stable than at 18.

It is also recommended to get LASIK before the age of 40. Around this age, eyes can begin to change again. In some individuals, presbyopia – a condition that makes it hard to see things within an arm’s length – can develop. Unfortunately, LASIK cannot correct this eye condition. Instead, surgeons can perform monovision laser surgery, where the non-dominant eye is left slightly nearsighted, so the patient can see things up close.

Keep in mind, however, that LASIK is performed on patients of all ages. It all comes down to how healthy and stable your eyes are, which is why a consultation with your optometrist is a crucial first step.

 
In good health and free of eye diseases:
Certain eye diseases, eye viruses, and health problems can be barriers to getting LASIK, such as:

• Eye Diseases:
  • Glaucoma
  • Keratoconus
  • Cataracts
  • Certain retinal and optic nerve diseases
• Eye Viruses:
  • Herpes simplex
  • Herpes zoster
• Health Problems:
  • Collagen vascular disease
  • Uncontrolled diabetes
  • Autoimmune disease
  • More

 
Committed to pre- and post-eye surgery responsibilities:
Care for your eyes before and after surgery is crucial. Good LASIK candidates are committed to the process beforehand.

Pre- and post-LASIK responsibilities may include:

• Stop wearing contact lenses for two to four weeks prior to the consultation and/or surgery
• Not wearing cosmetics and perfumes during the surgery
• Arranging transportation to and from the surgery
• Post-surgery medication schedule
• Post-surgery follow-up eye exams
• Annual eye exams
• More

 
Willing to accept reasonable risk:
As with any surgical procedure, LASIK does come with certain risks of complications. Occasionally, LASIK can result in less than 20/20 vision. Before electing for the surgery, you must be willing to accept the potential of a rare complication occurring.

11 Questions to Ask Before LASIK Eye Surgery

Before opting for surgery, you need to know if you’re a good candidate and be fully prepared for what the procedure will involve. The best way to learn if LASIK eye surgery is right for you is to talk with an optometrist who specializes in comprehensive LASIK eye surgery consultation and care.

Here are 11 recommended questions to ask during your consultation:

1. Has my eyesight been stable for the last two years?
2. Do I have a health condition that could prevent me from getting the surgery?
3. Is my age going to hinder the success of the LASIK eye surgery?
4. What results can I expect with corrective eye surgery?
5. What are the potential risks of LASIK eye surgery?
6. What is LASIK recovery like, and how long will it take me to recover from the surgery?
7. Is corrective eye surgery compatible with my lifestyle?
8. What are the costs of LASIK?
9. Are there medications I need to stop taking before the LASIK procedure?
10. What is LASIK 20/20 and 20/40 vision, and how do these measurements compare with my current vision correction?
11. Will the results last for life, or will I need another LASIK operation later?

While every question is important to ask and get a thorough answer, it’s beneficial to spend a little more time on the last question. Since every patient is contending with different vision issues, it’s hard for LASIK to deliver the same optimal results every procedure.

In conjunction with discussing the risks and results, it’s important you know what is possible if LASIK does not meet your goals and desired outcome. Be sure to ask what is involved in retreatment.

Additionally, undesirable side effects are possible with LASIK. Make sure you leave your consultation with a complete understanding of the potential side effects, how they’re treated, and how long it takes for them to resolve.

Comprehensive LASIK Eye Surgery Consultation and Care in Mount Vernon, Ohio

If you’re tired of wearing glasses or contacts every day, you owe it to yourself to schedule a consultation to explore LASIK corrective eye surgery.

Take the first step and get an in-depth analysis of your vision health.

While iCare Vision does not perform LASIK surgeries, we can help you learn whether or not you’re a good candidate for the procedure and walk you through the ins and outs of LASIK. We might also recommended an additional ophthalmologist’s – an Anterior Segment Specialist – opinion. These specialists have received additional training in front surface ocular conditions, and as a result often have higher success rates post LASIK surgery.

When you start your corrective eye surgery journey with us – eye care experts with no financial stake in your procedure and completely unbiased recommendations – we’ll only suggest procedures that will help make your life and vision better.

Even though most patient’s outcome is now 20/20 in each eye it is recommended that you still get yearly exams to monitor for retinal problems, glaucoma, and general health. Many lasik centers offer “free” touch ups if patients see their local doctor yearly.