Lasik refractive surgery in NYC continues to be refined in safety and efficacy, showing as a safe alternative to lifelong contact lens wear and being more cost-efficient.

The surgery is among the most common refractive procedures performed worldwide for individuals with errors such as farsightedness, nearsightedness, and astigmatism.

Qualifying For Lasik Refractive Surgery

Lasik surgery NYC is a favored corrective procedure meant to provide improvements in vision virtually immediately following the procedure with long-term results that typically relieve the client of their dependence on contact lenses or glasses for daily function.

Because of the high degree of accuracy and the advancements in medical equipment, over 90 percent of clients who undergo the surgery achieve 20/20 or better vision.

Further, when performed by a quality and qualified surgeon, it boasts of being safe with a relatively brief recovery time, roughly a day or two to get back into regular activities.

However, to move forward with Lasik, the surgeon must assess your candidacy, meaning you must meet a few criteria to be eligible for the procedure. Here, we’ll review a few of these.

Age eligibility

Lasik surgery is available to those aged 21 +.  It is not performed on individuals below this age because the eyes are still developing, and young people are still navigating their growth period. If Lasik were performed on eyes still in the process of growing and changing, the results would be inaccurate.

This would lead to a need to repeat the process in a mere few years, whereas waiting until the appropriate age will allow for a long-term result. The eyes are fully developed and not prone to growth or change at age 21 and above.

The surgeon further requires an eye exam with a prescription that remains stable for six months, which shows that the nearsightedness or shortsightedness has not changed in that time. Visit https://www.warbyparker.com/learn/lasik-eye-surgery?msockid=19d08671d79b619221449267d63a604c to become informed on Lasik eye surgery.

The thickness of the cornea

The eyeball has a thin tissue layer at the surface, which is the cornea. The Lasik procedure involves reshaping the eyes’ cornea. A high-precision laser is used for resurfacing. The process is entirely painless and boasts incredible safety with a reputed and qualified surgeon.

Your optometrist will assess your candidacy for the procedure by evaluating the cornea thickness. A thin cornea will eliminate you as a candidate for Lasik. The laser will have too little material to work with when attempting to reshape the cornea.

Blepharitis

The eyelids can develop an infection known as Blepharitis. The tiny oil glands that moisten the eye can clog and become infected. The condition is not severe but can increase the possibility of developing dry eyes following Lasik. Doctors recommend surgery to be avoided when diagnosed with this condition.

Moving forward with the surgery despite a blepharitis diagnosis can result in a multitude of adverse effects.

Eye Health

The surgeon considers good candidates those who have overall good eye health aside from their near or farsightedness. Doctors look for diseases or infections that could potentially worsen once the surgery is performed.

For instance, a traumatic incident resulting in an eye injury, conjunctivitis, or severe dry eye sufferers would be unfavorable candidates. Because the surgery resurfaces the cornea, the eye is left more sensitive.

Those suffering from constant dry eyes can see worsening of this once the surgery is complete, making it necessary to use drops multiple times daily. A battery of tests will be performed to assess eye health before the surgery is performed. Go here to learn things you should know if you’re considering Lasik.

The immune system

An autoimmune disease disrupts the immune system, essentially causing the body to turn on itself. A few examples are rheumatoid arthritis and lupus. Because the immune system is impacted, the body is unable to heal adequately.

The recovery process for someone with an autoimmune disease would also be disrupted, making these individuals less-than-favorable candidates.

In that same vein, Diabetes I and II interfere with healing, preventing these clients from having a successful Lasik procedure. Prospective candidates will be thoroughly tested before surgeries are performed to see if any of these conditions are present.

High prescription

Lasik is an effective surgical procedure that successfully treats farsightedness, nearsightedness, and astigmatism. The surgeon, however, expects that the prescription is within a distinct limit for optimal success.

A score of roughly –12 for myopia, which is difficulty seeing far-away objects clearly, would rule you out as a Lasik candidate. The surgery could successfully reduce this score, but you would likely still need assistive eyewear to see distant objects.

Also, a high prescription leaves you more vulnerable to varied adverse effects following the procedure.

Large pupils

The pupils have a distinct job of performing with the eyes; they decide how much light to let in and will contract or expand to control this. For those with oversized pupils, having Lasik can increase the possibility of seeing bursts of light or halos at night.

This adverse reaction could be minor in the beginning but can be long-lasting and severely impair dim-light or night-time vision. That can be dangerous when driving.

When assessed for candidacy for the surgery, your pupils will be measured, and the doctor will offer their recommendation as to what would be in your best interest in having or not having Lasik.

Pregnancy

Pregnancy brings serious hormonal ups and downs, which can result in the cornea reshaping, which would worsen your vision or reverse your surgical results.

It’s suggested to postpone intervention until you’re through nursing to avoid complications, roughly 8 months following childbirth or based on the doctor’s recommendations.

Final Thought

Much goes into determining a candidate’s eligibility for Lasik surgery in New York. These criteria have been established for the client’s best interests and in maintaining optimal safety of their eyes and overall well-being.

When being assessed for candidacy, a priority is to address questions and concerns and become fully educated and informed to make the best decision for you.