Laser eye surgery is also known as Laser-Assisted In Situ Keratomileusis (LASIK for short). It is a vision correction procedure that uses an excimer laser for reshaping the cornea.
It is becoming increasingly popular in New York City largely because of the availability of human and material resources required for such surgeries. It is also helps that residents of this city are known for wanting the best for themselves.
Not everyone with vision-related challenges qualifies for this corrective procedure. It is therefore important for the eligibility criteria to be considered to avoid complications that may arise when ineligible individuals undergo the procedure. Some of the complications that could arise include:
- Infection
- Dry Eye
- Flap Complications – Such as flap dislocations or tears
- Regression
- Under-Correction
- Over-Correction
- Vision Loss
What these prove is the need to seriously ascertain eligibility before undergoing this procedure. Given this, this article will be looking at eligibility criteria for laser eye surgery in NYC or any other city for that matter. Let’s get to it.
Eligibility for Laser Eye Surgery in NYC
Laser eye surgery has been a sight saver for many people in NYC and beyond. However, some people’s sights have become worse after undergoing this corrective procedure. More often than not, this happens when ineligible people still go ahead with the surgery.
There are important eligibility criteria that have to be met. These include:
Age
Stable vision is crucial for a successful surgery outcome, but most individuals do not achieve it until they reach a certain age range. The reason is that people’s vision undergoes various developmental phases, especially before they attain a certain age.
As a result, a suitable candidate should at least be 18 years of age. This is the minimum age requirement across a wide range of facilities. Some even strongly recommend not having such a procedure until one has reached the age of 21 years or even older. The goal is to ensure that the candidate has attained vision stability.
By the way, some eligibility requirements are more crucial than others and age happens to be high on the list of the most important ones.
Healthy Corneas
This surgery addresses vision problems through the reshaping of the eye corneas. As a result, corneal health is of utmost importance.
For starters, this essential part of the eye needs to be thick enough to undergo the procedure, which is why conditions that undermine the cornea’s thickness would rule one out. Progressive cornea thinning (known as keratoconus) is a prime example of a condition that can disqualify an individual.
Severe dry eye is another condition that can disqualify an individual. Such individuals are better off seeking alternative corrective options. Phakic Intraocular Lenses (IOLs) among several others could be a more suitable alternative for such people. You can find out more about what Phakic Intraocular Lenses are about.
Prescription Range
Laser eye surgery can help resolve vision issues caused by several kinds of vision problems. Myopia (Nearsightedness), Hyperopia (Farsightedness), and Astigmatism are prime examples.
However, there is a need for more specificity when determining what this vision correction surgery can be used to address. In clearer terms, it is most suitable for correcting these issues as long as they are still within the range of mild to moderate vision complications.
Patients may need to seek alternative vision correction procedures if the issue has become severe. Below are common vision issues that this procedure can effectively address, along with their ideal severity levels for treatment:
- Myopia (Nearsightedness) – Doctors can use this procedure as a corrective measure for severity up to -8.00 diopters.
- Hyperopia (Farsightedness) – Doctors can use this procedure as a corrective measure for severity up to +3.00 diopters.
- Astigmatism – Doctors can use this procedure as a corrective measure for severity up to 4.00 diopters.
Laser eye surgery can correct these three common vision issues within the above-listed prescription ranges. However, these are general guidelines as individuals must undergo a personal diagnosis to determine their eligibility, including prescription suitability.
General Health Considerations
Aside from corneal health as mentioned earlier, a candidate will also be required to be in general good health to qualify for this procedure. Some general health concerns can reduce the effectiveness of this procedure or even cause complications. Examples include:
- Uncontrolled Diabetes – Slow recovery and even vision fluctuations after the surgery are possibilities.
- Chronic Dry Eye Syndrome – The already discomforting situation can worsen post-surgery.
- Autoimmune Diseases – Post-surgery healing can be very slow and hard to come by because of conditions like rheumatoid and Lupus.
Aside from the above, there are some people who cannot be categorically said to have health challenges who may also not be eligible for this procedure. Pregnant and nursing mothers are good examples as they are usually strongly advised to wait a while before considering this surgery. This is because of the state of their bodies at the time. All the hormonal changes that they constantly experience can affect their vision and ultimately the effectiveness of this corrective surgery.
Pre-Surgery Evaluation
Anyone considering this corrective surgery must complete a thorough pre-surgery evaluation and should not treat it as a mere routine. Rather, it is a core part of determining eligibility for this procedure or otherwise. There are at least three areas that the evaluation needs to pay attention to:
- Corneal State – Specifically, the part of the eye needs to be thick enough for this corrective surgery.
- Pupil Size
- General Eye Health
In essence, this evaluation has to be comprehensive to ensure that nothing is missed or left to chance. For more information on pre-surgery evaluation for laser eye surgery, you can see: https://eyewiki.org/.
Conclusion
Even after doctors confirm eligibility for this vision correction surgery, people should set realistic expectations and stay well-informed to achieve the best results. For example, the procedure may not guarantee perfect vision, even though patients should expect dramatic improvement.
The important thing to do is to ensure that you are consultation with professionals in this field who will provide you with the guidance you need to get the best result from the procedure.
