Laser Refractive Surgery has become extremely popular thanks to its quick recovery time and high efficacy. More people opt for this procedure every day to rid themselves of the hassles and discomfort of glasses or contact lenses. The procedure improves vision acuity to 20/20 in more than 98% percent of patients, and -in some cases- it’s even possible to get vision clearer than 20/20 after surgery.
If you are considering undergoing Laser Refractive Surgery, bear in mind that candidacy is based on your diopter (prescription), medical history, and other health factors are also taken into consideration. Have you asked yourself Am I a Candidate for Laser Refractive Surgery? Let ‘s find out.
What is Laser Refractive Surgery?
Are various surgical procedures where a laser is used to reshape the cornea adjusting your eye’s focusing ability in order to improve or correct your vision; being LASIK (laser-assisted in situ keratomileusis) the most widely performed type of Laser Refractive Surgery. Other procedures involve implanting an artificial intraocular lens (IOL) inside your eye.
At Oftalmólogos El Tesoro we perform the following techniques with the most modern and advanced WaveLight®EX500 Excimer Laser: Wavelight LASIK, TransPRK, PRK, Topography Guided.
What type of Refractive Errors can be corrected?
These procedures can correct the following refractive errors: myopia, hyperopia, and astigmatism.
Who are the best candidates for LASIK ?
Unfortunately, not everyone who has a refractive error can benefit from laser eye surgery, and some patients may never be safe medical candidates for the procedure. But, even if you have been told you´re not suitable for standard LASIK, the Wavelight LASIK performed with the WaveLight®EX500 Excimer Laser could be a treatment choice for you. To learn more, visit our blog WaveLight®EX500 Excimer Laser: Unmatched Laser Precision Exclusively at Oftalmólogos El Tesoro.
Candidates should meet the following criteria:
- Must be 18 years or older.
- To have any of the following refractive errors: myopia, hyperopia, and astigmatism.
- Have a stable eyeglass prescription for at least 1 year.
- Have a healthy cornea .
- Don´t have dry eye syndrome.
Who should avoid Laser Refractive Surgery?
Who should avoid Laser Refractive Surgery?
Women who are pregnant or nursing should avoid this type of procedure, since hormonal fluctuation during pregnancy and breastfeeding may cause changes in vision. Our specialists recommend discontinuing breastfeeding at least 1 month before having your measurements for surgery taken.
Laser Refractive Surgery is contraindicated for people with diabetes or any other condition that compromises the immune response. Also, people with eye diseases like keratoconus, certain retinal and optic nerve diseases, are not suitable for laser eye surgery.
Other conditions that should be discussed with our surgeon include: keloid scarring with previous surgical healing, and any mental health conditions; as they may also affect your recovery.
Some tips about Laser Refractive Surgery
- It is performed outpatient, meaning you don’t have to stay overnight at our clinic.
- The procedure takes no longer than 15 minutes per eye.
- Local anesthesia is used in the form of eye drops to numb the eyes.
- To help you relax and put you at ease, our surgeon and his team explain -step by step- what they are doing while they’re doing it.
The only way to know for sure if you are a suitable candidate, is to undergo a comprehensive eye exam with one of our surgeons. Book your appointment today and find out if you qualify for the latest Wavelight LASIK refractive surgery.
