If you've been following along with my LASIK surgery posts, this is the 3rd and final in the series. You can find the first two here:
LASIK Part 1: The Beauty Benefits of Laser Vision Correction
LASIK Part 2: The Pros and Cons of LASIK Surgery
Today's post focuses on determining whether or not you're a good candidate for LASIK and discusses what to expect post-surgery. I've also included commentary from friends and fellow bloggers who have recently had laser vision correction. Their insight was the most helpful part for me!
Who is a Good Candidate for LASIK Surgery?
As taken directly from the American Refractive Surgery Council's website, LASIK is approved to treat the following common vision ailments:
- Myopia: People with myopia, or nearsightedness, have more difficulty seeing objects at a distance as opposed to objects close by. LASIK treats myopia by flattening the central corneal surface, enabling light to focus on the retina.
- Hyperopia: People with hyperopia, or farsightedness, have more difficulty seeing objects nearby as clearly as objects in the distance. LASIK treats hyperopia by reshaping the outer edge of the cornea, causing the center to steepen and increase its focusing power.
- Astigmatism: Caused by an oval-shaped eye, people with astigmatism see distorted objects whether it is close up or far away. LASIK treats astigmatism by eliminating the irregularities in the cornea to sharpen its focusing ability.
Who is NOT a Good Candidate for LASIK Surgery?
- If you have an autoimmune disorder such as lupus or rheumatoid arthritis, you would not be a good candidate for LASIK. (Autoimmune conditions can impede the healing and recovery process.)
- If your corneas are too thin, irregular, or if you have an eye disease such as glaucoma, this may also mean you're a less-than-ideal candidate.
- If you're pregnant or breast-feeding you should wait until 3 months after nursing has ceased to have the surgery, due to hormonal issues.
- LASIK is FDA approved for those 18 years of age and older. If you are younger than 18, your vision may still be changing. Having stable vision for a period of one year prior to surgery is a pre-requisite for laser vision correction.
The best way to determine whether or not the surgery is right for you is by scheduling a free consultation with a highly-qualified LASIK surgeon.
TIP: A few good resources to find qualified refractive surgeons in your area include The American Society for Cataract and Refractive Surgery and www.allaboutvision.com.
Learn what actual patients have to say after having LASIK surgery. #LASIKInsight @ARSC_Insight Share on X
Reviews from LASIK Patients:
Because I'm interested in having LASIK myself and am the type of person to thoroughly evaluate whether or not a procedure is the right decision for me, I reached out to a few friends and fellow bloggers who have recently had LASIK and asked them to share their thoughts. Here's what they had to say:
Who: Jessica | Petite Style Script [Petite fashion for the busy professional – incorporating the KonMari philosophy]
Where: Maloney Vision Institute | Dr. Robert Maloney
When: 2016
What was your biggest fear about having the surgery and how did you get over it?
My biggest fear with having Lasik eye surgery was the actual surgery portion. I mean, it is my eyes and my vision! In addition, I was concerned that I would be able to see the instruments during the surgery and this may cause me anxiety. Fortunately, Dr. Maloney & his medical team re-assured me and walked me through the procedure. I was provided a medication to help me relax and numbing eye drops so my eyes couldn’t feel anything. Dr. Maloney talked to me during the entire surgery so I knew what to expect.
How soon after the surgery were you able to begin driving again?
I had my surgery on a Thursday at 4pm. I drove myself to my follow-up appointment the next day, Friday, at 8am. (And that included driving on the 405 freeway in Los Angeles in the rain, so it was not an easy drive!)
What's the biggest benefit you've discovered from the surgery?
The biggest benefit after having Lasik eye surgery is literally being able to wake up and see. I had poor vision for the past 20 years and cannot remember a time when I was able to read my alarm clock. Waking up the morning after surgery and reading the time was incredible to me!
Another benefit was reducing my fear of driving at night. Prior to Lasik eye surgery I had terrible night vision and intentionally avoided night driving. Now my night glare is significantly improved and I don’t have to live with this fear.
Further Research: Here is a video from @TheOfficialARSC's YouTube channel regarding what to expect after LASIK surgery, since it's important to have realistic expectations about what the surgery can accomplish.
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Who: April Marquardt, OD, MD | The Blue Hydrangeas [A petite fashion and style blog for professionals]
Where: Eye Specialists of Ohio | Harmeet Chawla, MD
When: 1999
Since you're both an optometrist and rheumatologist, I'm particularly interested in your perspective. Can you tell me what factored into your decision to have LASIK?
I was a very high myope and was totally dependent on glasses and contact lenses to be able to see. I had several issues with infectious complications from years of contact lens wear. The surgery was life changing for me! The surgery was rather easy and recovery took about a day. I was able to see perfectly without glasses for several years and it was wonderful.
As for the cons for me, I will say that after four years I needed glasses/contact lenses again. I was 25 when I had the procedure and I had just started medical school. I studied for hours at a time and this plus my young age caused my myopia to worsen within four years. But I can say that being a -1 D myope is a whole lot better than being a -8 D myope!
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Who: Ana
Where: Manrique Custom Vision Center | Carlos Manrique de Lara, MD, F.A.C.S., Medical Director
When: 2013
What was your biggest fear about having the surgery and how did you get over it?
My biggest concern was that my vision might be worse after the surgery or that I could irreparably damage my eyesight. Dr. Manrique has videos of the actual surgery available for viewing on his YouTube channel, so I was able to see in advance what the surgery entailed. He explained that he had performed over 25,000 successful surgeries and that he is the official LASIK surgeon for the Spurs players. That was more than enough to convince me I was in capable hands. If a professional basketball player can place their trust (and their livelihood) in his hands, that speaks volumes to me.
What advice would you give someone who is considering having the procedure?
Do your research. I think it's imperative to find a doctor you feel comfortable with and one who goes out of his or her way to reassure you. If a surgeon makes you feel pressured to have the procedure, that's probably a clear sign you should find a different doctor.
What's the biggest benefit you discovered post-surgery?
I'd have to say it's a tie between being able to see my phone again without having to set a giant font on the display and the fact that I can apply makeup now without having to have my glasses on. Overall, it's nice to have a newfound freedom from glasses and the hassles associated with wearing them.
Speaking of makeup — since this is a beauty website — how long did you have to wait prior to wearing eye makeup again after your surgery?
I waited a week, in accordance with the instructions from my doctor's office. Eyeshadow particles or mascara flakes can get in your eye and increase the chance for infections, so it's better to wait. As an extra precaution, I even bought new mascara so I wouldn't run the risk of transferring any old bacteria to my eyes.
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I hope this series has helped if you're considering LASIK. If I'm able to have the surgery to correct my nearsightedness, I'll definitely share my experience here on the blog and will edit this series to link to my journey.
Thank you again to the American Refractive Surgery Council for sponsoring this series and for answering my never-ending questions about what to expect after LASIK. If you're just beginning your own research on the procedure, their blog is a great place to start!
