LASIK has been around for more than 20 years. That means two decades of TV news coverage, reality shows, radio ads and billboards proclaiming the benefits of seeing clearly without relying on glasses or contacts thanks to laser vision correction. At this point, you have to wonder: Hasn’t everyone heard about LASIK? Probably. But it begs the question: Does everyone who is aware and, perhaps, interested in LASIK have the facts about LASIK and other laser vision correction procedures?
Probably not.
And that’s okay. Because if you are seriously considering a laser vision correction procedure, you should get more information than what facts about LASIK are provided in an ad or a one-minute news segment.
Why?
Because not everyone is a good candidate for LASIK. Perhaps as many as 15 – 20 percent of the people who come into Discover Vision Centers wanting LASIK are ineligible for the procedure. For some, it is just about their eyes. Their prescription isn’t stable, they have thin or irregular corneas or perhaps there is scarring from a previous injury or infection. There are also medical conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis and diabetes, as well as certain medications, that can interfere with healing from a procedure like LASIK. There are also circumstances when a patient demands more from LASIK than it can realistically deliver.
So, what do you need to do to become an informed patient?
- Think about your vision and what you expect to achieve with laser vision correction. How does your vision correction impact your life currently? What is your vision correction routine right now? Thinking through your vision correction issues and talking them through with us leads to an informed recommendation, a confident decision and a successful outcome
- Come in for a thorough evaluation of your eyes and vision. Share your full health history with us. Don’t forget to discuss any medications you are taking.
- Thoroughly research the vision correction procedure you’re interested in to understand not only how the procedure works, but also about recovery and risks. With that knowledge in hand, come to us with your questions. Once you have the facts about LASIK, working together, we can determine if you are a good candidate. We will weigh your vision correction options against your lifestyle and vision correction goals and put together an action plan to achieve them.
LASIK is a procedure you choose to have to correct your vision. It isn’t a medical necessity. Right now, in all likelihood, you are relying on glasses or contacts to do the that job. However, those corrective lenses come with some significant compromises in terms of quality of vision and lifestyle, which is why laser vision correction makes for a very attractive option. But it is a surgical procedure and, as such, it deserves your time and attention to get the facts about LASIK and ensure it is right for you and your vision.
