Eyeglasses and contact lenses help many people see clearly, but they aren’t exactly convenient. If you’ve ever lost a contact lens or misplaced your glasses, you know how frustrating it can be to be dependent on corrective lenses.
LASIK is a commonly performed method of vision correction for patients with myopia (nearsightedness), hyperopia (farsightedness), and astigmatism. It is a popular procedure for several reasons, including minimal recovery time and high rates of patient satisfaction.
At Northeastern Eye Institute (NEI), our doctors frequently perform LASIK and love seeing how happy our patients are with the results. There are a few things to consider when planning to have the procedure.
When to Schedule
The first step is to have a consultation with one of our doctors to see if LASIK is the best option for you. If you meet the following criteria, it may be a good time for you to schedule the procedure and ditch your eyeglasses or contact lenses:
Over the age of 18 – Your vision can change throughout childhood as the eyes continue to grow. LASIK is recommended for patients with fully developed eyes.
Good overall health – Certain health conditions can impede the healing process or put you at risk for complications. Our doctors will ask questions about your medical history to determine if this is the right time for you to correct your vision with LASIK.
Stable prescription – Even after childhood, your vision may change. Vision stress caused by long hours at a computer or reading can affect the quality of your vision. Sun exposure can also contribute to vision loss. Your vision needs to be stable for at least one year in order for you to be a good LASIK candidate.
If our doctors find that LASIK is not the best option for you, they will discuss alternative vision correction options. Their experience and commitment to doing what is best for each patient they see will guide their recommendations.
When to Wait
There are a few reasons to postpone your procedure even if you are over 18, in good physical health, and have stable vision. The following are some circumstances that can interfere with successful LASIK surgery:
Pregnancy – Pregnancy and breastfeeding can impact vision. These changes may be temporary or permanent. Pregnancy-related blood pressure conditions can also affect your eyes. For optimal results, it is best to have the procedure once you are no longer pregnant or breastfeeding.
Unaddressed or unresolved issue with your eyes – If you’ve suffered an injury to the eye, have an eye infection, have dry eyes, or have other degenerative eye conditions, you will need to seek treatment to resolve these issues before you can be considered for LASIK.
If you have presbyopia – Monovision LASIK may be an option if you are over 40 and have developed the age-related vision change known as presbyopia. This condition can arise due to changes in the elasticity of the lenses in our eyes at this stage of life. A modified LASIK procedure may be the right option.
Scheduled events that interfere with recovery instructions – While most patients find their LASIK recovery to be quick, you will need to follow some instructions to prevent infections or complications. You will need to avoid potentially contaminated water sources like rivers, hot tubs, swimming pools, and oceans for a minimum of one week. You’ll also need to avoid international travel for one week after surgery. If you have vacation plans or events that involve either of these, you will need to coordinate your procedure accordingly.
Call Us to Schedule a Free Consultation
At NEI, we are on the leading edge of all things optical. Our doctors have been treating patients in Wilkes-Barre, Scranton, Hazleton, and the surrounding areas with LASIK for several years. To speak with one of our doctors about whether LASIK is right for you, please call us at 855-204-6888 to set up a complimentary consultation.