Like other operative procedures, LASIK has specific criteria you must meet. LASIK is one of the most successful elective procedures, hitting an incredible 95% success rate. However, it is not for everyone.

Many patients who reap the best benefits reach 20/40 vision, while 90% reach 20/20 or better. The only way to know if you meet the condition is by visiting your eye doctor, but read on to see these requirements yourself.

Healthy Eyes

How healthy your eyes are will determine how successful the procedure will be and how you heal afterward. If you have any aggravating conditions like inflammation, eye infections, or abrasions, you will have to have them resolved before you get the surgery.

Reasonable Prescription

LASIK procedures work for refractive errors like hyperopia, myopia, and astigmatism. Each entails a different treatment, but not all prescriptions for these conditions qualify for LASIK. The FDA has approved LASIK excimer lasers for the approximate correction of 5.00 diopters of astigmatism, +5.00 diopters for hyperopia, and -11.00 diopters for myopia.

However, different surgeons may have specific limits for what they choose to treat. Most offer free LASIK consultation to determine whether you are in the proper prescription range. They will recommend alternative correction options if the prescription is too high.

Thick Corneas

High prescriptions need much more corneal tissue removal during the surgery. Corneal tissue removal is how LASIK surgery works to correct the different refractive errors. By removing the corneal tissue, the eye doctor can reshape the cornea and change how light refracts into the eye.

If your cornea is too thin, having the procedure will increase your risk of corneal ectasia, which is dangerous for your vision. The condition causes the cornea to thin abnormally, leading to vision loss. The eye doctor may recommend alternative procedures if you have a thin cornea.

Appropriate Age

For you to have LASIK vision correction, your vision must have stabilized, which happens once you are over 18. However, many eye doctors recommend reaching your mid-twenties because sometimes, vision can still be unstable in your early twenties. The procedure can only correct your near vision if you opt for monovision.

Stable Vision

Sometimes, vision can remain unstable even past your mid-twenties, which can complicate LASIK. If your vision is unstable or shows refractive instability, it will put you at risk of requiring another corrective procedure. Because of this, your vision has to be stable within 12 months of the procedure. Some things that can cause vision fluctuation include the following:
 

• Age

• Some medications

• Hormonal imbalance or fluctuation from diseases like diabetes

• Breastfeeding or pregnancy

Right Size of Pupils

One of the tests that the eye doctor will perform is measuring the size of your pupils. Larger pupils put you at risk of postsurgical side effects like:
 

• Halos

• Double vision

• Glare

• Starbursts

Realistic Expectations

While LASIK has a high success rate, it is essential to be mindful of the possible side effects of the procedure. LASIK also has potential complications and risks that you must be aware of.  It is best to consult with your eye care professional before you choose to have the procedure. 
 

For more information on qualifications for LASIK vision correction, visit Reeve Woods Eye Center at our office in Chico, California. Please call (530) 317-EYES​​​​​​​ to discuss any questions with our team of experts or to schedule an appointment today.