Nearly 800,000 LASIK surgeries are performed every year in the United States. The numbers from those procedures tell a remarkable story of safety, effectiveness, and satisfaction:
As LASIK specialists, we at Eye Care & Surgery work closely with each person, creating a positive experience and taking steps to ensure the best results.
Refractive errors occur when your cornea doesn’t bend incoming light properly. As a result, light doesn’t focus on the retina and you have blurry vision.
Refractive errors that we can treat with LASIK surgery include:
While many people are good candidates for LASIK, the procedure isn’t for everyone. Here, we list criteria for people who want LASIK surgery.
Healthy eyes are one of the top requirements if you want LASIK surgery. Though LASIK is safe and doesn’t have risks like general anesthesia (you stay awake during the procedure), you need healthy eyes to ensure rapid healing and prevent complications.
We treat infections and dry eyes before you have LASIK. An existing infection or inflammation will interfere with healing after your procedure. LASIK can temporarily decrease tear production, which would aggravate an existing dry eye problem.
Eye conditions can raise your risk of complications and may prevent you from having LASIK surgery. These conditions include:
We do a complete eye evaluation to be sure you don’t have any problems that might affect your results.
Stable vision means you’ve had the same eyeglass prescription for at least one year. If your vision is still fluctuating, you aren’t ready for LASIK.
LASIK sharply focuses your vision, but it doesn’t stop your eyes from changing. Your vision could change again after surgery, negating the results of LASIK.
LASIK is approved for people 18 or older, because the eyes are still developing during adolescence. The American Academy of Ophthalmology recommends waiting until you’re at least 21, but we can guide your decision after examining your eyes.
The shape of your cornea determines whether it bends light properly. During a LASIK procedure, we reshape the cornea by removing layers of tissue.
The cornea must be thick enough for us to shave the tissue. If the cornea is too thin after LASIK, it’s vulnerable to bulging, causing keratoconus.
You may be a good candidate for another type of refractive surgery even if you have thin corneas.
Certain medical conditions may interfere with the effectiveness of a LASIK procedure. We screen your medical history before recommending LASIK so you don’t face unknown or unwanted risks.
We may postpone LASIK surgery if you have diabetes and your blood sugar is high. We take this precaution because uncontrolled blood sugar can cause vision changes, making your LASIK results unpredictable.
Uncontrolled autoimmune diseases may affect your candidacy for LASIK. But there are many variables to consider, such as whether the disease is mild and controlled and its effect (if any) on your eyes. During your evaluation, we assess your health and discuss any concerns.
Hormones that your body produces during pregnancy and breastfeeding may change the cornea’s shape. After delivery or after you finish breastfeeding, its shape returns to normal. That’s when you can safely schedule a LASIK procedure.
If you qualify for LASIK surgery, there’s no reason to put up with blurry vision. And the longer you wait, the greater your chances of developing an age-related eye condition that may disqualify you from the procedure.
Call us at Eye Care & Surgery today or book an appointment online to learn if you’re a good candidate for better vision. Our New York City offices are in Washington Heights, Manhattan, and in the Bronx across from Yankee Stadium. We also have a New Rochelle, New York, office.
