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How Do I Know If I’m a Candidate for LASIK?

candidate for Lasik

Many people turn to LASIK surgery to achieve clear vision without glasses or contacts. Deciding to get LASIK is a big and exciting decision, but you might be wondering, “how do I know if I’m a candidate for LASIK?”

At Durrie Vision, our expert doctors have performed over 65,000 laser vision correction surgeries. 

Although LASIK is a great option for many people, we want all of our patients to know that it’s not the only surgical option available. So even if you aren’t a candidate for LASIK, it doesn’t mean you aren’t a candidate for a different procedure. 

Keep in mind that candidacy can only be determined through an advanced LASIK consultation with an ophthalmologist who specializes in refractive surgery. While we never recommend self-diagnosis, here are just a few of the factors our doctors look at when determining your candidacy for LASIK in Kansas City. 

 

Age

You must be at least 18 years old to get LASIK or any other vision correction surgery. By this age most people with nearsightedness, farsightedness, and astigmatism have typically reached ocular maturity, a stage when vision is considered stable.  If you’re under 18, keep using your contacts and/or glasses as your eyes may continue to change or shift through adolescence.

 There is not an upper age limit to laser vision correction, however beginning in our mid to late 40s, changes in the internal lens of the eye lead to a decrease in near vision (presbyopia), which continues to progress before ultimately developing into a cataract. Depending on your particular vision and lifestyle, these changes you may to address the issue using either Blended Vision LASIK in which one eye is treated for near and one for distance, or with a lens procedure such as Refractive Lens Exchange or Refractive Cataract Surgery.

Corneal shape and thickness

LASIK improves your vision by changing the shape of your cornea. Therefore, corneal thickness and corneal scarring due to contact lenses or previous eye surgery play an important role in determining your candidacy for LASIK or an alternative procedure. During the consultation, one of our surgeons will measure the thickness of the cornea to ensure there is enough tissue for the desired amount of correction and design a customized treatment plan based on these measurements.

Prescription strength

With today’s advanced laser technology, LASIK is able to treat high levels of nearsightedness, farsightedness, and astigmatism. However, for those with extreme nearsightedness (-10 or more), there is often not enough corneal tissue available to accommodate the correction needed. In these instances, a Phakic IOL procedure may be a great alternative. 

 I’m Not a Candidate for LASIK, Now What? →

Schedule your LASIK Consultation in Kansas City with Durrie Vision

If you’re in the Kansas City area, the best way to determine if you’re a candidate for LASIK is to schedule a LASIK consultation at Durrie Vision. Our consultations go beyond the basic screenings. Instead, we use Advanced Ocular Analysis to not only discover if LASIK is right for you, but also if another procedure will be better for your goals. 

We understand that correcting your vision is a life-changing decision. That’s why we ensure that you have a great experience every step of the way. From your consultation all the way to your post-procedure exams, you’re always our number one priority. 

Schedule a Consultation |  Self Candidacy Test