Eyeglasses and contact lenses serve a very important function, there is no denying that. Without vision-correction, life is forever altered. At the same time, wearing glasses or contacts can quickly become bothersome. If you’re active, your glasses may get in the way. If you rely on glasses all day every day, they may start to feel uncomfortable on the bridge of your nose, or you may have difficulty transitioning from reading a book to reading your computer screen. These are common frustrations that often lead people to consider LASIK.
The LASIK procedure has been a routine laser treatment conducted all over the world for several years. Because it is so common, there may be an assumption that it would work for just about anyone who wants to correct nearsightedness or farsightedness. Usually, this is the case. However, we’ve got to confirm this by performing a few assessments. To determine if a person is a good candidate for LASIK, a doctor will conduct screenings such as:
- Intraocular pressure. The pressure that exists within the eye is referred to as intraocular pressure. Certain eye conditions, such as glaucoma, are characterized by elevated pressure in the eye. This pressure can damage the optic nerve and cause blindness. Patients who undergo LASIK are usually given a steroid eye drop to decrease inflammation after surgery. These drops could increase intraocular pressure and should not be used by those with already-elevated pressure.
- Corneal assessment. The cornea is the flap of tissue that is modified during LASIK procedures. To accurately reshape the cornea, the doctor needs to know how thick this tissue is. Additionally, the corneal screening with measure how steeply the cornea is curved and observe this part of the eye for any abnormalities or damage.
- LASIK may cause temporary dryness. This side effect may be exaggerated in patients with poor tear quality. Specific tests can alert the LASIK surgeon to the details of the tears so side effects can be properly addressed.
- Nearsightedness and farsightedness are examples of refractive errors. Testing refraction, the doctor can determine how to best adjust the cornea to achieve optimal visual clarity. Refraction is reflected in a person’s vision prescription. This should be stable for at least one year before LASIK is performed.
At Central Florida Eye Institute, we walk patients through the LASIK process with care. To schedule your consultation, call (352) 237-8400.