LASIK Candidacy- Overview:
LASIK surgery can be one of the greatest decisions you make. The benefits to this procedure can be life-changing. You can achieve clear, sharp vision and eliminate the need for glasses and contact lenses. However, the success of your LASIK procedure is highly dependent on whether you are a good candidate.
The good news is that virtually every patient who comes to our office inquiring about LASIK is a good candidate. Dr. Chris Walton uses the most advanced technology available, which significantly broadens the number of people who can be considered candidates for LASIK.
The best way to determine whether LASIK eye surgery is right for you is to speak with Alabama eye surgeon, Dr. Walton. Please call 251-341-3385 today to schedule a free LASIK consultation and diagnostic exam at our Mobile ophthalmology office.
Basic Criteria for LASIK Candidacy
Recent advances in LASIK technology allow people with just about any severity of refractive error to benefit from the procedure. There is no prescription that is too strong for LASIK. However, there are certain basic criteria that you must meet in order to be considered a good LASIK candidate:
- Over the age of 18
- Stable vision prescription for at least a year prior to undergoing LASIK
- No eye infections or injuries for at least one year
- No corneal scarring
- Have no autoimmune diseases such as multiple sclerosis, lupus, or rheumatoid arthritis
- Have healthy eyes
- Have corneas that are thick enough to accommodate the creation of a corneal flap
If your corneas are too thin for LASIK, Dr. Walton may recommend an alternative procedure such as PRK in order to achieve your vision correction goals.
In addition, patients with dry eyes should discuss this issue with Dr. Walton during their consultation. While having dry eyes doesn't rule you out as a candidate for LASIK, Dr. Walton may want to pre-treat you with artificial tears or Restasis to reduce the risk of LASIK complications associated with dry eyes.
Lifestyle Considerations Impacting LASIK Candidacy
The following lifestyle factors won't rule you out as a LASIK candidate, but they should be considered when determining the right time to move forward with your procedure:
- Pregnancy -- Women who are pregnant or nursing may want to delay their procedure until they are no longer nursing since hormone changes can impact vision quality.
- Contact sports -- If you engage in contact sports, you need to be careful following LASIK since a serious blow to the eye region may increase your risk of complications. It is best to either take a few days off from participating in contact sports to allow your eyes time to fully heal or if possible, have LASIK in the off-season.
Patient Testimonials:
"Best decision I ever made was getting LASIK! Only regret is not getting it sooner. Dr. Walton and his team were great!" - V.B.
"I am a physician and I am very careful of where I seek professional and medical care. My son received the absolute best care before during and after his Lasik procedure. I did not reveal that I was a physician either, so no special attention made to us. You can trust Dr. Walton's knowledge and skill. His staff are also quite skilled and top notch. You will not find better care in any other major city or medical destination." - J.C.
"I had considered LASIK for a few years and finally decided to go through with it. It has been the best decision I ever made. Dr. Walton and his staff are incredible and made me feel comfortable and at ease. I wish I could give more than 5 stars!" - R.C.
"Dr. Walton and his staff were excellent with my recent Lasik surgery. They explained every little detail and surgery was scheduled quickly. My surgery was a great success with ZERO pain and instant results! I wish I would have done it 10 years ago!" - B.O.
Schedule Your Consultation Today!
Interested in learning more about your candidacy for LASIK Eye Surgery? Call Dr. Christopher Walton at 251-341-3385 to schedule your consultation today! Our practice serves Mobile, AL & all nearby areas.
