Many people using eyeglasses or contacts everyday can now receive Lasik surgery.

In order to be considered as a good candidate for Lasik surgery there are some rules you will need to abide by.

Lasik is FDA-approved for those 18 and older. Most providers encourage young adults to wait until their mid-20s. Until this time a person’s prescription may be still changing. Having a stable prescription for at least two years is often required as proof before anyone, young or old, is deemed a good Lasik candidate.

From the point of stable prescription on, most adults concurrently grow their savings, begin traveling for work and pleasure. Perhaps they start developing an irritation or exhaustion with contacts and eye glasses. This creates the popular period during which most people look at Lasik surgery.

Around the age of 40, a person’s eyes start to change. They are usually good candidates for laser surgery. At age 60, the eyes start to change once more. This is when the risk of cataracts increase. Some adults get to age 70 or 80 with no cataracts and have otherwise healthy eyes. Despite being outside the common Lasik age spectrum, these people can be good candidates for laser eye surgery. Age certainly influences one’s Lasik candidacy, but it by no means draws an absolute boundary. If you are in good health, have a stable prescription and are considering Lasik, ask your eye care specialist to assess your candidacy.

Moreover, good candidates should not have any eye diseases for at least one year before the surgery. Also, the cornea should not be scarred. Good candidates should not suffer from the dry eyes syndrome because it can be worse after the Lasik surgery. Pregnant women are prohibited to undergo the Lasik surgery due to the high fluctuations in their hormone levels. Patients suffering from cataracts, advanced glaucoma, corneal disease, corneal thinning disorders or other pre-existing eye diseases are not good candidates.

You should remember that surgery is not risk free. Good candidates should fully understand those risks. Otherwise you are definitely not a good candidate for Lasik surgery. Good candidates make sure they understand how Lasik surgery works and the benefits before undergoing surgery.

Houman Ahdieh, MD
Lehigh Valley Center For Sight
https://www.lvcenter4sight.com
eyedoc@lvcenter4sight.com