When people plan to correct their vision, the first thing that comes to their mind is LASIK. It is among the quickest and safest surgeries with amazing benefits. Doctors recommend this surgery to patients who have hyperopia, myopia, and astigmatism. And as technology is advancing day by day, so are people’s expectations and hopes for the procedure. But no matter how excellent LASIK’s latest techniques are, there still remain some situations in which it will be impossible to do the surgery. Your eye power, for instance, is a deciding factor. This guide will discuss those aspects associated with LASIK surgery.
The maximum limit of eye power
If you are interested in opting for LASIK surgery, this is one of the major things that should occupy your thoughts. That’s because if the thickness of your cornea is not as desired, it will be extremely challenging for the surgeon to perform the surgery. For Indians, the general corneal thickness is approx. 530 microns. So, in case your cornea is less thick than 495 microns, it means LASIK surgery is not meant for you.
Therefore, the maximum power range that LASIK operation can correct is -8.0. For a plus number, the maximum power has to be +5.0. If your power is more than +5.0, correcting the cornea might result in visual disturbances. So, an accomplished ophthalmologist won’t recommend LASIK to you in such situations. He will first examine your eyes thoroughly and then prepare a report that explains if LASIK will be effective in your case. He will also tell you the Contoura vision surgery cost in India.
Other factors that decide if you can go through LASIK surgery
· Healthy eyes
If you wish to undergo a Lasik operation, the first thing that you need is good eye health. Are your eyes healthy? If they aren’t, you might face post-surgical complications resulting from the operation. And as the eyes are among the most sensitive parts of the body, you have to proceed with caution. Furthermore, when the eyes are not in great condition, the surgery might get affected. These cases include ocular infections and keratoconus (a condition characterized by progressive vision deterioration). Keratitis, dry eyes, and uveitis are some examples of ocular infections. So, if someone has a large pupil, he is more prone to experience halos and glares.
· Overall health
Did you know your overall health plays a crucial role in determining how successful surgery will be? However small and uncomplicated the operation, being in the pink of your health always helps. And how do you ensure you are ready for the surgery? Book a complete health check-up prior to the Lasik surgery date to be certain that your body is capable of handling the surgery. Generally, your eyes are expected to heal naturally after the completion of the procedure. But if there is an underlying health concern or some disease inhabiting your body, it might delay the recovery. Two of these diseases include diabetes and heart ailments. It is better to be aware of these things and discuss them with your ophthalmologist to take a wise decision.
· Corneal curvature
When a cornea is too flat or too steep, it is certainly a limiting factor:
Flat cornea- A human cornea’s curvature is 44.0 D. If a cornea’s curvature is 41.0 D, the cornea is defined as flat. In LASIK, the cornea flap is lifted. If the cornea is unusually flat, the flap size will be too small. Therefore, the area available for laser operation will be limited. It may lead to vision abnormalities like glare and halos around light, especially at night.
Steep cornea- When a cornea is at least 48.5 D, it can be characterized as a steep cornea. With a steep cornea, lifting the eye’s flap can be tricky. Buttonholing can be a consequence. If that happens, the surgery must be stopped, and the flap has to be repositioned. It will take some time to heal. After three months, the doctor can make attempts to re-lift the flap.
· Age limitations
Unless a person is 18 years of age, the power of his/ her glasses keeps changing. After 18, it becomes stable for most people. So, as the future is unpredictable, doctors suggest patients attain a minimum age of 18 years. However, there cannot be strict rules in a human system. With some people, the number becomes constant by 16 years, while in others it might not be stable even when the person is 22 years old. Lasik won’t be highly effective if the power fluctuates later. So, if you don’t want to regret doing the surgery too early, it is better to wait until you become an adult.
Even if there is no upper age limit for it, 20- 40 years is the best time for Lasik surgery. During this stage, you will be the most active. Most people who opt for Lasik treatment belong to this age group due to reasons like lifestyle freedom, personality enhancement, matrimony, and participation in sports.
· Pregnancy limitations
A woman’s body undergoes drastic changes when he is pregnant. If a woman is breastfeeding or pregnant, Lasik surgery is not advisable for a variety of reasons. During this stage, the hormone levels in the body are exceptionally high. The female body also experiences an increase in spectacle power. This increase isn’t found in all expecting mothers, but doctors still refrain from performing Lasik surgery to avoid complications. Hence, if you are pregnant, it is better to wait for some years and be done with breastfeeding. After that, you can think about the surgery.
The Bottom Line
Hence, before getting excited about LASIK, it is better to find out if you are eligible for the laser treatment. For that, visit a reputed eye clinic in your city for a detailed examination. Well-known clinics have highly qualified and experienced Lasik surgery specialists who have delivered many surgeries successfully. Your doctor will take into consideration every important detail like your age, medical history, and power range to determine if you are an ideal candidate.