The Screening & Tests That Determine If LASIK Can Correct Your Sight

LASIK eye surgery is a complex surgical procedure that can take only a few minutes to yield exceptional results. The speed and accuracy of the procedural is a major reason why this type of eye surgery is fast becoming one of the most requested surgical procedures. The fact that most patients who undergo LASIK eye surgery generally feeling no pain is another major reason why it is so sought after. There are dangers with every surgical procedure and LASIK eye surgery is no different, there are many risks to the surgery and many complications that can arise. Testing and screening is one of the ways that your LASIK eye care professional can determine if the surgery is right for you.

One of the first tests that are done to the patient to determine if LASIK eye surgery is right for them is what is known as a corneal scan. In this scan, the cornea of the patient is scanned with a scanning device that is computer-controlled and general map created to determine the exact topography of the cornea along with any irregularities that could complicate the procedure. Only after these screenings and tests can any patient be given the go ahead to perform LASIK eye surgery since this is pivotal in helping to avoid major problems that may occurring during the surgery and the subsequent Keating process.

LASIK eye surgery cannot cure blindness since there is a maximum limit that the surgery can accomplish in any patient, hence patients who have very poor eyesight are not good candidates for LASIK surgery. Any patients with myopia greater than -14 diopters or hyperopia greater than +6 cannot receive LASIK eye surgery treatments. This range was determined by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to ensure quality health care for patients who can be helped by the procedure.

The eyes and hence vision fluctuate dramatically during aging, especially in the first 18 years. Many LASIK eye care professionals prefer not to do surgery on patients who are under 18 years old or whose sight has not properly stabilized. An examination of the eyesight of the patient is generally done followed by an analysis of the patient's eyesight before the test to ensure that the eye-sight is stable. The anterior and posterior sections of the eyes are also examined to ensure that there are no deformities or complications that may result in the LASIK eyesight correction surgery not working as planned.

Ocular hypertension, retinopathy and glaucoma can all be discovered through this examination and would rule out LASIK eye surgery as a corrective measure (since this procedure does not treat those diseases).

LASIK eye surgery is an amazing procedure which has helped to correct the vision of thousands of Americans, but proper screening and tests are pivotal in ensuring that only those that can be helped by the procedure undergo it, and may also identify any other eye problems that may have been unnoticed.

References
1. The Big Book of Health Tips. The editors of FC&A Publishing .FC&A Publishing
2. Before You Call The Doctor. Ballentine Books. New York 1992