The complexity of the LASIK surgery procedure is often obscured by the office-like milieu of the surgery room, the fact that it takes only a scant few minutes to accomplish the procedure, and the fact that the patient experiences virtually no pain. But, LASIK is in fact a complex surgical procedure with associated complications and risks, and it is certainly not apt for everyone. In order to determine your suitability, and to avoid potential LASIK complications, the best way is to get screened and tested prior to undergoing surgery.
Before the surgery, the patient’s corneal surface is examined with a computer-controlled scanning device. A topographic map of the cornea is created to determine irregularities in the shape of the cornea and also help detect astigmatism. Such preoperative examination is crucial in determining whether the patient is a viable LASIK candidate or not. Comprehensive testing and screening is helpful in avoiding LASIK problems at a later stage, since an inappropriate subject can be ruled out at the outset.
Laser eye surgery has its inherent limits as to how much vision correction it can accomplish. Patients with gravely poor eyesight are not apt for LASIK surgery. The limits prescribed by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) rule out those patients with more than -14 diopters of myopia, more than +6 diopters of hyperopia, or more than 6 diopters of astigmatism.
Another important consideration is that of the viable age for LASIK laser eye surgery. Since, the visual acuity constantly changes until the age of 18, eye surgeons prefer to operate patients who are well over 18 and whose prescription has completely stabilized. A simple refractive examination followed by a meticulous comparison with the patient’s early medical records would reveal whether the prescription has stabilized or not.
The eye surgeon should also carry out comprehensive tests of the eye anterior (front) and posterior (back). This is helpful in determining certain eye ailments that might rule out LASIK surgery as a treatment option. For instance, a posterior examination might identify eye diseases, such as ocular hypertension, glaucoma and diabetic retinopathy. All in all, prior screening and tests are valuable and rather indispensable in the sense that they determine the possible candidature of a patient for LASIK surgery.
Finding a LASIK surgery that you are confident of working with will ease your concerns about problems with LASIK eye surgery.