Questions About LASIK

    CHICAGO, IL, May 27, 2010 /24-7PressRelease/ -- Can Anyone Have LASIK Surgery?

No, each patient must meet standard LASIK eligibility criteria to be considered a safe candidate for LASIK. There are numerous factors related to how eye health affects LASIK eligibility as well as how age affects LASIK eligibility. Eligibility can also depend upon your overall health, and whether you have any chronic diseases, or take medications that can interfere with your results. Thin corneas, large pupils, younger than 18 or older than 40, refractive error out of treatment range, and treatable corneal shape are just a few of the criteria that must meet eligibility.

What If I Do Not Qualify for LASIK?

Since many people do not qualify for LASIK for a number of reasons, other solutions have been developed and used successfully. You might qualify for PRK, LASEK, Epi-LASIK, CK, lens exchange, rings, or other treatments. For example, some people do not qualify for LASIK because they have very thin corneas, but would qualify for a procedure that does not create a corneal flap. A thorough exam by a qualified LASIK surgeon will determine your eligibility.

My Lens Prescription is Constantly Changing. Can LASIK Stabilize My Prescription?

No. In fact, an unstable prescription would disqualify you for LASIK. The reason is that laser ablation is permanent. It removes corneal tissue, which cannot grow back. If your prescription changes soon after surgery, the correction made by LASIK will no longer give you clear vision. You will either need surgery again or to wear corrective lenses, defeating the purpose of LASIK.

What About LASIK Legends?

Many LASIK misconceptions and myths are commonly accepted as fact. Some originated from early and traditional LASIK treatment, and are no longer true due to advances in laser eye surgery methods and technology. Here is the truth to clear up some misconceptions and LASIK myths.

- LASIK CANNOT treat cataracts, the cloudy destruction of the crystalline lens.
- LASIK CAN treat astigmatism, one of three refractive errors commonly treated with LASIK.
- People over 40 CAN have LASIK if they meet all of the other eligibility criteria. People over 40 often develop conditions that can disqualify them and must meet criteria that do not usually affect younger people.
- LASIK does not disqualify employees from jobs such as police, pilots or firefighters.

These are just a few of the truths in contrast to the misconceptions. If you have heard discouraging information about LASIK, schedule an appointment with a qualified ophthalmologist to get answers to your questions. You may well be a good LASIK candidate, regardless of what you have heard.

If you have questions about LASIK in Chicago, Arlington Heights, or Schaumburg, Illinois please visit the website of Doctors for Visual Freedom (www.doctorsforvisualfreedom.com) and submit your LASIK questions for a personal response.

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