Do you dream of seeing without contact lenses or glasses? If so, you may have considered LASIK surgery.

LASIK is the most popular vision correction surgery and has a high satisfaction rating, with over ninety-five percent of LASIK patients happy with their results. LASIK is also more accessible than you may think. 

Most people with a refractive error can be qualified as LASIK candidates. If you live in Honolulu and want to know if you’re a LASIK candidate, make an appointment at Sugiki Portis Eye Center for a commitment-free LASIK consultation.

But before your LASIK consultation in Honolulu, Hawaii, it’s important to learn more about LASIK surgery and get an idea of what a good LASIK candidate looks like. Keep reading to learn how you can qualify as a LASIK candidate in Honolulu!

What is LASIK Surgery?

LASIK surgery is a refractive laser eye surgery. This means that the surgery is designed to change how light refracts through your cornea, which is the transparent front part of your eye. 

The cornea is supposed to bend the light that passes through your eye so you can see in focus. When you have a refractive error like nearsightedness, farsightedness, or astigmatism, your cornea or eye is shaped slightly irregularly. 

This affects how light refracts through your eye and makes your vision blurry. Glasses and contact lenses correct refractive errors by changing how light bends before it passes through your eye. 

Refractive laser eye surgery changes the shape of the cornea itself, correcting your refractive error. This is done by sculpting the cornea into the right shape with a special kind of laser called an excimer laser. 

But before that can be done, the cornea itself needs to be accessed. During LASIK surgery, your eye doctor will make a flap in the top layer of your cornea.

The flap is lifted, and the area below is carved by the excimer laser. Then the flap is replaced and acts as a natural bandage for your eye, protecting it and helping it heal. 

Because of this technique, recovery from LASIK is quick, and discomfort is minimal. If you have a refractive error, chances are you’ll make a great candidate for LASIK. 

Who is a Good LASIK Candidate?

To get a better idea of what a good candidate looks like, it’s essential to know some of the main qualifying factors.

Age

You need to be at least eighteen years old to have LASIK surgery. Before that, your body is still growing, so your eyesight is subject to change.

LASIK surgery permanently changes your vision, but it becomes less effective if your prescription changes after surgery since it’s tailored to correct your current refractive error. In order for LASIK to be effective, you need to be fully developed. 

In many cases, LASIK surgeons prefer for LASIK candidates to be in their twenties before undergoing the procedure.

Prescription Stability

In addition to being fully developed, your vision also needs to be stable. This means your prescription should have stayed the same for at least a year. 

The more stable your vision is, the more likely you will have an optimal vision outcome.

General Health

In order to have any elective surgery, you need to be in good overall health. If you have any conditions that make it difficult for your body to heal, LASIK surgery may not be entirely safe for you. 

These conditions may include diabetes and certain autoimmune diseases. However, if you have a specific medical condition, it may not immediately disqualify you from surgery. 

In this case, it’s important to talk to your doctor about the potential health risks. 

Eye Health

Your eyes should also be in good health before you have LASIK surgery. This means you shouldn’t have any significant eye conditions. 

If you have an eye condition, in many cases, it will need to be treated before you can have LASIK. One of the things that will be evaluated before surgery is your tear quality and production. 

If your eyes don’t produce tears well, you may have dry eye syndrome, which can make healing from eye surgery difficult. Often, LASIK surgery is not recommended for those who have dry eye syndrome. 

Your eye doctor can recommend treatment to improve your tear quality. If it’s effective, you may still be able to have LASIK surgery.

Corneal Thickness and Pupil Size

Because LASIK requires a corneal flap, your cornea needs to be a certain thickness. If it’s too thin, a flap cannot be made safely. 

Also, if your pupils are too large, LASIK surgery may cause significant issues with your night vision. Both your corneal thickness and pupil size will be measured during your LASIK evaluation. 

Having a consultation is the only way you can know for sure if you’re a good LASIK candidate. Your LASIK surgeon at Sugiki Portis Eye Center will conduct a thorough evaluation of your eyes and learn about your vision goals to determine if LASIK is right for you.

Do you want to learn if you may be a good candidate for LASIK? Schedule an appointment at Sugiki Portis Eye Center in Honolulu, HI, today!