Is LASIK Right For Me?

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Posted by: Missouri Eye Institute in Blog on February 21, 2019

You’ve heard the ads and may know someone who has had LASIK in Springfield, Branson, Joplin, or beyond. There’s a high chance you are wondering if laser eye surgery is a good option for you.

Because every eye is unique, there is not a one-size-fits-all answer for whether LASIK is right for you. To begin, some guidelines can help:

Are your eyes healthy?

Conditions like dry eye, keratoconus may not rule LASIK out completely but they are a factor. Other conditions like glaucoma mean you are likely not a candidate for LASIK.

No matter what the issue, Missouri Eye Institute can help you take control of your vision health. This is regardless of whether LASIK is an option.

Are you healthy?

Autoimmune diseases like rheumatoid arthritis or lupus make you more prone to infections. Diabetes and chronic pain conditions may also be factors, as can pregnancy.

Talk to your ophthalmologist to determine if these conditions affect your options.

How strong is your prescription?

LASIK can correct refractive errors like nearsightedness, farsightedness, and astigmatism. But if you have a prescription that’s too strong, you may not be a candidate for LASIK.

What is causing your vision problems?

The cause of your vision problems is important as well. If you’re in your forties and experiencing vision changes, it may be due to presbyopia.

Vision changes from presbyopia are usually caused by the lens. As we age, the lens begins losing its flexibility. As a result, seeing up close or at a distance becomes harder.

With LASIK, refractive errors are permanently corrected by reshaping the cornea. Patients with presbyopia may be better suited for a refractive lens exchange.

Is your vision stable?

To get LASIK, patients must be at least 18 years old. This is because your eyes and vision continue changing until this point.

Before getting LASIK, your prescription must be stable for at least a year. Without a stable prescription, your eyes could continue changing after LASIK.

Can you afford LASIK?

There’s no doubt that LASIK is a life-changing procedure and has been for millions. The problem? LASIK is still an elective procedure to insurance companies. This means that you’ll have to pay for the cost completely out of pocket.

That can seem overwhelming, until you consider what you pay for contacts and glasses. In a year, you could easily spend close to $500 on contacts. That number goes up if you wear dailies since they are more expensive.

Most people buy new glasses every few years. Depending on if you go the designer frame route or not, you could still pay another $500 or $600 on your glasses. That’s a lot of money!

LASIK actually pays for itself, usually after a few years. Think about it. What would you do if you had extra money in your pocket every year? The possibilities are endless!

If paying the full cost up front is too much, consider LASIK financing and payment plans. These can make paying for the procedure more affordable. If you can fit LASIK into your budget, what’s stopping you?

The only way to know if you’re a LASIK candidate is to schedule a consultation at Missouri Eye Institute! Don’t you want to start your vision journey to clear sight?