A year before the turn of the millennia, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved Lasik for certain individuals. Over the years, it has grown in popularity as a solution to treat poor vision. If you are sick and tired of wearing glasses or contacts or dealing with blurry vision, you may be a good candidate for this procedure at Wichita Vision Institute in Wichita, KS. Read on to discover who is a good candidate and much more.
Who Is a Good Candidate for Lasik?
Good candidates for Lasik are individuals who are at least 18 years of age with poor vision and a stable vision prescription. Specifically, this treatment is not usually recommended for individuals who have not had the same prescription for at least a year or two prior to considering the procedure.
Who Is a Poor Candidate for This Procedure?
Even if you’re an adult with a stable vision prescription, you may not qualify for this procedure. As with most other procedures, it is important that you are in relatively good health to qualify. During your initial consultation, Dr. Patel can advise you on what medical conditions will disqualify you. Some of the most notable contraindications include glaucoma, cataracts, and keratoconjunctivitis sicca (dry eye syndrome).
Uncontrolled type 2 diabetes and a number of autoimmune diseases will also make you a poor fit for this procedure. During your initial consultation, Dr. Patel will advise you on all of the medical conditions that will make you a poor fit for this procedure. Note, just because you suffer from dry eye syndrome does not necessarily mean you won’t qualify for this procedure. If you can take dietary supplements or artificial tears to treat the condition, you may qualify.
Are There Any Other Factors That Need to Be Considered?
Yes. The thickness of your cornea must also be considered before determining whether you are a good fit for this procedure. If your cornea is too thin, there may be an issue making the corneal flap during your procedure.
Can This Procedure Treat Any Vision Problem?
Lasik is a great option for a number of vision problems, including astigmatism, nearsightedness, and farsightedness. However, it is most effective for vision problems within certain limits. For example, you will be a good candidate for this procedure if you want to correct up to -11 nearsightedness diopters, +5 farsightedness diopters, or 5 astigmatism diopters.
Your vision may be tested during your initial consultation to verify that this procedure will be effective for you. If it is not the ideal solution for your vision concerns, Dr. Patel will advise you on safer, more effective options for your unique situation.
Frequently Asked Questions Answered
Will My Procedure Hurt?
No, your procedure will not hurt. Your eyes will be numbed before the procedure begins.
Will I Be Awake During My Procedure?
Yes, you will be awake during your procedure. There will be no sedation or general anesthesia used to put you to sleep during your laser eye surgery. If you are worried about feeling anxious during your procedure, ask Dr. Patel about taking an anxiolytic pharmaceutical, like alprazolam, before your procedure begins to keep you calm.
How Will My Eyes Be Numbed Without General Anesthesia?
Before your procedure begins, your eyes will be numbed with topical eye drops. There is no intravenous drug used during this procedure, and you will not be intubated pre-op.
Can I Bathe or Shower After My Procedure?
It is perfectly safe for you to shower or bathe on the same day as your procedure. Bear in mind, though, that you should take extreme care to avoid getting shampoo or soap in your eyes. If you accidentally get shampoo or soap in your eyes, don’t panic. Calmly stand under the shower and flush the cleaning agent from your affected eye without rubbing or otherwise touching it.
Can I Drive Myself Home After My Procedure?
No, you will not be able to drive yourself home after your procedure. In fact, you will not be able to drive at all on the day of your procedure. However, you will be able to drive the day after your procedure if your eyes feel comfortable and your vision is clear.
Will I Be Able to See After My Procedure?
Yes, you will be able to see after your procedure, but you should not expect 20/20 vision as soon as your procedure is complete. Generally, you can expect to see clearer than you have in years the day after your procedure.
When Will I Be Able to Return to Work?
Most people are able to return to work the day after their procedure is complete. However, if you have a job that requires you to look at a computer monitor for eight hours, you may want to schedule your procedure for a Friday, so you have a couple more days to really rest your eyes before you return to full-time work.
Note, you may need to take a week off from work if you have a physically strenuous job. It is important that you avoid vigorous physical activity for seven days post-op, so you should plan to take some vacation time if your job duties cannot be modified to accommodate keeping your pulse down for a week.
How Many Follow-Up Appointments Will I Need to Attend?
You can generally expect to need four follow-up appointments after your procedure. The first follow-up appointment will be scheduled the day after your procedure. Remember, you will be able to drive at this point if you can see clearly and your eyes are comfortable.
Most of the time, the second follow-up appointment is scheduled three months after the procedure. Your third follow-up appointment will be scheduled roughly six months after your laser eye surgery, and your fourth and final follow-up appointment will be scheduled roughly one year after your procedure. If you have any questions or concerns at any other time, just call and set up an additional appointment.
Can Both Eyes Be Treated On the Same Day?
Yes, both eyes can be treated on the same day. This means that you won’t have to wear a contact lens in one eye while the other eye has 20/20 vision. It also means that you will only have to prepare for your vision correction procedure once.
What Can I Expect During My Initial Consultation?
You can expect your initial consultation to encompass numerous diagnostic tests. For example, Specular-microscopy will be used to evaluate the integrity and thickness of your cornea. As another example, your eye pressure will be measured to verify that you do not have glaucoma. Also, LenStar will be used to measure the curvature of your cornea and the length of your eye. Other diagnostic tests include:
- An optical nerve dilated fundus exam
- A retinal dilated fundus exam
- Two refractions
- A measurement of your vision correction prescription
- An evaluation of your sight
- An examination of your overall eye health
How Should I Prepare for My Consultation?
One of the most important pre-consultation preparation steps is to stop wearing contact lenses if you currently wear them. To measure your vision accurately, you must go seven days without wearing contact lenses unless you wear hard contact lenses. If you wear hard contact lenses, you will need to wear glasses for 21 days prior to your initial evaluation.
How Should I Prepare for My Vision Correction Procedure?
One of the most important steps you should take to prepare for your vision correction procedure is to drink plenty of water. Six-tenths of your body is made up of water, and it is important for every bodily function, including waste elimination and healing. Make sure you drink at least 64 ounces of water daily before your procedure, and do not drink alcohol on the day of your surgery. Alcohol is dehydrating and can affect medications.
Caffeine can be dehydrating and anxiety-inducing, so start your morning with decaf coffee or tea if you usually have coffee or tea with breakfast.
Schedule Your Initial Consultation Today
Generally, good Lasik candidates are at least 18 years of age and struggling with poor vision. However, it isn’t quite enough to be an adult with blurry vision. It is also important that your vision prescription is stable, you’re relatively healthy, you don’t suffer from keratoconjunctivitis sicca, and you have been diagnosed with nearsightedness, farsightedness, or astigmatism. Reach out today to schedule an appointment with Dr. Patel at Wichita Vision Institute in Wichita, KS.
