Do you ever wonder what life is like without glasses? Have you forgotten your contact solution more times than you can count?
Considering LASIK is a big step in improving your life. If you are considering LASIK, talking with a surgeon is a great next step. Unsure if you are? Why not schedule a LASIK consultation?
Like any surgery, not everyone should have LASIK. Before you even find out if you are a good candidate, you need to qualify for it. Keep reading for some of the most common LASIK factors you need to qualify for!
At Least 18 Years Old
While there is no age limit, you have to be at least 18 years old. This is a guideline from the FDA. The best time to get LASIK is in your mid-twenties.
By this time, your vision should be stable and won’t change any more. Getting LASIK before you’re 18 makes it more likely that your vision will change after. This is why you can’t get LASIK until your eyes have stopped changing.
Stable Prescription
This relates to the previous point. To qualify for LASIK eye surgery, you need to have a stable prescription for at least one year.
If your vision is still changing, LASIK is not the correct procedure for you. Without a stable prescription, your vision will keep changing.
Good Health
While you do not need to have perfect health, you need to be in good health for LASIK. When you have your consultation, you should tell your surgeon about any conditions. This includes keratoconus, glaucoma, or diabetes.
It is still possible to get LASIK if you have diabetes, but you should not if you have keratoconus or glaucoma. There are procedures you could be a candidate for if LASIK is not a good fit, like PRK.
Healthy Eyes
While your general health is important, you need to have healthy eyes too. A good candidate for LASIK will not have chronic dry eye, pink eye, or any eye injuries.
If you currently have any of these conditions, LASIK is most likely not a good fit. But if you get these conditions under control, you could qualify for LASIK later!
Currently Not Pregnant or Planning on Becoming Pregnant
Changes in your hormones during pregnancy can affect your vision, causing changes. Some of these changes can be permanent or temporary.
You should wait to get LASIK until you are no longer pregnant or breastfeeding. If you are thinking about having kids, then you should wait to have LASIK. With each pregnancy, you run the risk of your vision changing.
Affordability of LASIK
One of the most important things to consider is if you can afford LASIK. Most insurance companies will not cover it because it is an elective procedure.
If you meet all the qualifications and can afford it, LASIK could be right for you!
Are you ready to consider LASIK? Schedule a LASIK consultation at South Texas Eye Institute in San Antonio, TX today! Why wait for the clear vision you’ve always wanted?
