6 Signs You’re Ready for LASIK

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Posted by: Missouri Eye Institute in Blog on November 23, 2022

Thinking about ditching those clunky glasses or those uncomfortable contact lenses? You may be an ideal candidate for LASIK and not even know it.

LASIK technology and techniques have come a long way in recent years. For that matter, you may have changed, too! If you’re considering a vision correction procedure for the first time (or for the first time in years), here are 6 Signs You’re Ready for LASIK.

1. You’re the right age.

Our bodies continue to mature and develop as we grow through our teens, and our eyes (and vision) are no exception. 

The United States Food and Drug Administration has approved LASIK for adults 18 and older. But the key aspect of when to have LASIK depends on when your vision has reached the Ocular Maturity milestone. which is when your eyes stop “growing.” When you come see us for a consultation, we will discuss your vision history and do a number of scans on your eyes to determine if your vision is still changing, or if it’s stable enough to have a vision correction procedure.

2. You’re generally in good health.

A potential candidate for laser eye surgery isn’t expected to be perfect, but in order to qualify for LASIK, an individual should be in reasonably good health.

Disease and poor health can interfere with the ability to heal after LASIK. Your eye surgeon will want to know that chronic conditions such as diabetes or high blood pressure are stable and being effectively managed. Certain autoimmune diseases – or immunosuppressive medications used to treat them – may also increase surgical risks and healing.

3. You are not pregnant or breastfeeding.

If you have added to your family, congratulations! You may notice changes in your vision pre- and post-partum as normal hormonal shifts occur to support your body and your baby. This will eventually level out. Once you’ve healed and given your little bundle of joy a good start, you can revisit your interest in LASIK. 

4. Your vision correction prescription is stable.

It does little good to get LASIK while your eyes are still changing. If a patient gets LASIK amidst a period of vision changes, any refractive error(s) currently in progress could continue to worsen after surgery. For this reason, your LASIK surgeon will want you to have had a stable contact lens or eyeglasses prescription for at least one year before recommending permanent vision correction. This improves visual outcomes in the long term.

5. Your corneas are healthy and thick enough for LASIK.

LASIK and other refractive eye surgery involves gently shaping the cornea to correct the refractive error. If your cornea is thick enough for your LASIK surgeon to make the necessary adjustments and you meet the other criteria, you may be a great candidate for LASIK. If not, thankfully patients now have other options besides LASIK to achieve the improved vision they want, even if their corneas are not ideal for LASIK. 

6. You have chosen a qualified LASIK surgeon and are fully informed.

A reputable laser eye surgery provider will carefully screen potential LASIK candidates to ensure that permanent vision correction is a safe option for them. They will conduct a thorough eye exam, ask a lot of questions and will give you detailed information about LASIK so you can make an informed decision. At Missouri Eye Institute, we believe your greatest eye health tool is knowledge. That’s why we ensure every patient knows exactly what to do and expect before, during and after LASIK surgery.

Missouri Eye Institute has helped thousands of patients attain freedom from glasses and contact lenses. Contact us at (800) 383-3831 to schedule a LASIK consultation or visit MissouriEye.com to learn more about our services.