See Better with Lasik
Lasik vision correction is a surgical procedure to improve eyesight
and correct vision problems. This is a relatively simple, painless
and quick procedure that is undertaken on an outpatient basis that
has helped several million people get vision improvements.
Even though the procedure is quite simple and many people have
benefited from this wonderful technique, it has to be remembered
that there are certain complications and risks involved with the
procedure. So, it is best to have detailed discussion with your
doctor who will also assess your general health and examine you
thoroughly to know if you are an ideal candidate to go for the surgery.
Based on the assessments, the doctor will place you in either of
the following categories: ideal, not-so-ideal and non-candidate.
This is based on certain parameters about the patient’s medical
history and on the assessment on examination.
Severe Low Vision
There is a limitation to the degree of vision problems that can
be rectified with Lasik. So, people with extremes of low vision
cannot gain any help from this procedure. So, the FDA has restricted
people with higher than +6.00 diopters of hyperopia, +6.00 diopters
of astigmatism and -14.00 diopters of myopia in opting for the procedure.
The examining doctor will ascertain your existing degree of visual
problems by conducting a refractive examination of the eye.
Age of the Individual
At a young age, the shape and size of the eyes are changing due
to growth. So, when a person is in the growing phase even the prescription
for contacts or glasses keep changing. This stops only at an age
of around 18 to 20 years of age. Therefore, Lasik is not advisable
in people below the age of 18. In addition to reaching 18, the person
should also have an unchanging prescription for a minimum of two
years. If Lasik is performed on a young person in whom the growth
phase has not ceased, it can lead to unnecessary complications.
General Health
It is essential for the person to be very healthy to gain good
benefits from the Lasik procedure. There are certain pre-existing
conditions that make the person ineligible for the surgery. E.g.:
Autoimmune disorders, uncontrolled diabetes, etc. If the patient
is on certain medications then too it may place the candidate as
ineligible for Lasik surgery. E.g.: Immunosuppresants and steroids
as these have an undue effect on the healing and carry higher chances
of developing risks and complications.
Condition of the Eye
The eye is divided into two zones by doctors into anterior (front
portion) and posterior (back portion). The front or the anterior
zone has parts like the iris, eyelids, cornea, conjunctiva, sclera
and lens. Using a slit lamp (bio-microscope), the doctor can examine
for any anomaly in the anterior region with the patient resting
the chin on a rest positioned in the examination chair. The slit
lamp is then focused on the patient’s eyes and a thin ray
of light will enter the eyes with which the frontal area of the
eye is examined. If any irregularities are found in this zone, it
is more likely that the doctor will certify the patient as ineligible
for Lasik.
A posterior examination of the eye is conducted to check for some
eye conditions like diabetic retinopathy, glaucoma and ocular hypertension.
The back of the eye or the posterior zone contains the optic nerve,
retina and the blood vessels to the eye. This area is examined by
using a light that enters the eye through the pupil and this procedure
is termed as fundus examination.
Corneal Irregularities
If the cornea has an extreme degree of irregularity the patient
will be a non-candidate for Lasik. An example for such a condition
is Keratoconus where the cornea is shaped like a cone. If the corneal
irregularity is limited as in mild to moderate cases of astigmatism,
Lasik can be tried out in such patients. For this reason, the surgeon
evaluates the topography of the cornea to check if any asymmetry
is present before attempting surgery. This evaluation will ascertain
whether the patient is an ideal candidate or not for the procedure.
Corneal Thickness
The cornea of many people does not have adequate thickness. In
such cases, it is difficult for the surgeon to reflect the flap
to perform Lasik procedure. If surgery is attempted in such cases,
the outcome is generally very poor. For evaluating the thickness
of the cornea, the doctor uses a device called pachometer.
Lasik eye correction surgery is a wonderful and innovative technique
that has aided millions of people get improvements in their sight.
These results can be obtained by you subject to getting a proper
examination and evaluation of your eye condition and general health
before you jump into surgery
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