If you’re one of the millions of people hoping to switch from contact lenses to LASIK this year, the first step is setting up a consultation with your local eye doctor. Your ophthalmologist will need to screen you for the procedure to determine if you are a strong candidate.
Knowing when to make the switch will depend on your overall eye health, as well as how stable your eyes currently are. Here’s what to expect when you’re reviewing your options with your eye doctor:
The LASIK Screening Process – Are Your Eyes Ready for LASIK?
The initial LASIK screening process will determine if you are a good candidate for the procedure, and most ophthalmologists offer this as a courtesy service. Your ophthalmologist will examine your eyes and review your eye health history to review key factors such as:
- How long you’ve been wearing glasses
- A history of previous eye injuries
- Your natural pupil size
- The level of vision correction you are receiving from glasses or contacts
- How well your muscles align with the eyes
- Any abnormalities in the cornea
- Any history of double vision, lazy eyes, or other ocular problems
Your doctor will determine if your eyes are in a good state of health for laser vision correction by dilating the pupil and measuring corneal thickness. He or she may also screen your eyes for systemic disorders and look closely at the retina and optic nerve.
The Problem for Contact Lens Wearers
Wearing contact lenses can make the eyes ‘unstable’ and even change the shape of the cornea – this means you may not be eligible for the LASIK procedure, and will need to wait until your eyes stabilize, or pursue other types of corrective eye surgery. While LASEK is another popular option for laser eye surgery, you may need to wear contacts or glasses for longer than you had initially planned.
Are You Psychologically Ready for LASIK?
As LASIK procedures become more common and readily available, many people have high expectations for the entire process. Preparing yourself psychologically for potential problems with surgery and the total cost of treatment will be a part of the process. Even with today’s technological advances and state-of-the-art equipment, some LASIK patients do experience complications that can interfere with their daily lifestyle. Aberrations, double vision, and inflammation of the eye are just a few common problems linked to LASIK, and it’s important to understand this before proceeding with treatment.
Your ophthalmologist will discuss complications with you during your consultation, and you’ll need to set some realistic expectations about results. A few things to consider when you’re reviewing your LASIK options include:
- Risk of less than perfect vision
- Re-treatment may be necessary to achieve results
- Vision loss is a risk, albeit a small one
Millions of contact lens wearers make the switch from corrective eyewear to LASIK eye surgery each year, hoping to improve their vision and getting rid of those contacts for good. Still, not all people with vision problems are eligible for the LASIK procedure. The initial screening process with your eye doctor will determine if you are a strong candidate for the procedure, but if you are not eligible for this form of corrective eye surgery, you do have some alternative options.
Clear vision is possible with the right treatment that suits your health history and goals, and setting realistic expectations about results is another part of the process. Learn more about corrective eye procedures and laser eye surgery in our information guide, or consult with an eye doctor in your area for your initial appointment.
Source: http://www.locateadoc.com/articles.cfm/372/1491