Am I Eligible For LASIK Eye Surgery?

Requirements For LASIK Eye Surgery

Your Eyes Are Healthy
If you have any conditions that may interfere with healing, you will not be allowed to get LASIK eye surgery until this issue has been resolved. If you have an eye infection, you will need to wait for this to clear up before you can be approved for LASIK eye surgery. People with dry eyes will also have to speak with their optometrist about dry eye solutions, as dry eyes can interfere with LASIK eye surgery recovery. Other eye chronic conditions may also impact your eligibility for LASIK eye surgery.

Your Cornea Is Thick Enough
LASIK eye surgery corrects your vision by altering how light enters the eye through your cornea. To do this, the cornea will be reshaped during LASIK surgery. If your cornea is not thick enough, there will not be enough tissue for the ophthalmologist to work with and surgery may not be very effective for vision improvement or your cornea can become damaged.

Your Prescription Is Not Too High
LASIK eye surgery is not worth it for every person. If your refractive error is severe, your optometrist may advise against LASIK eye surgery. When your prescription is very high, it makes LASIK eye surgery less predictable and increases risks. The higher your prescription, the more of your cornea needs to be removed, which can damage the cornea or otherwise cause potential vision complications. The risk-to-reward ratio in these situations is too great and LASIK eye surgery is not recommended.

Your Vision Is Stable
If your eyes are still changing, LASIK eye surgery will not be a long-term refractive error solution. LASIK for people whose vision is still changing doesn’t offer enough of a benefit for the surgery to be deemed practical and you likely won’t be approved.

You’ve Been Approved By Your Optometrist
Before you can book LASIK eye surgery, you first need to visit your optometrist. They will check for all of the above factors to ensure you are a good candidate for LASIK eye surgery and they will discuss the details of the LASIK eye surgery with you. If you pass all LASIK assessments, your optometrist will help you prepare for LASIK eye surgery and recovery and they will refer you to an ophthalmologist. After your LASIK eye surgery, your optometrist will schedule follow-up appointments.

Find Out If You Are Eligible For LASIK Eye Surgery

Your eligibility for LASIK eye surgery can be determined with a LASIK eye surgery consultation at Market Mall Optometry in Calgary, where our professional staff can either refer you for the surgery, or we can discuss other possible options. If you are interested in a referral for LASIK eye surgery from Calgary’s choice optometrist clinic, call Market Mall Optometry in Calgary at 1-403-286-4884 or fill out the online contact form. Once our optometrists assess if you are a qualified candidate for LASIK eye surgery, we will explain the benefits and risks and detail the process for you.

FAQ
Q: What are the benefits of LASIK eye surgery?
A: LASIK can create 20/20 vision in patients with low to moderate levels of myopia, hyperopia, and astigmatism. It can also improve vision in those with high levels of vision impairment, although it may not improve vision to the point where lenses are no longer required. If you have severe myopia, hyperopia, and astigmatism, consult with our Calgary eye doctors about your vision correction options.

Q: Are the results of laser eye surgery permanent?
A: Yes. After the healing process is complete, your vision will remain stable. It’s important to keep in mind that some patients might develop the need for reading glasses as they get older.

Q: How long is the recovery time from LASIK eye surgery?
A: Most patients will be able to see clearly 24 hours after the procedure. Patients may experience blurry vision for the first 6-12 hours after the operation but should improve after 24 hours. Full recovery varies by patient and it may take 3-6 months for their vision to fully stabilize.