What LASIK Can and Cannot Fix
With over 600,000 procedures a year and a 99% success rate, LASIK is changing the way that people see the world. And while the surgery is certainly a breakthrough within the medical world, it’s not necessarily a fix-all for every type of ailment. If you’ve ever wondered what LASIK fixes and conditions that it can’t here’s a quick look at the limits and successes of this life-changing procedure.
What LASIK Can Fix
While LASIK isn’t a miracle surgery, it can still provide a better quality of life and improved vision — but only for patients who have certain conditions. If you’re wondering if you’re a candidate for LASIK, take note that it can only fix these conditions.
Astigmatism
Astigmatism is a condition that causes a blemish in the curvature of the cornea or lens. Surprisingly, around ⅓ of the general population has this condition, which results in blurred vision at all distances. However, LASIK has been perfected enough to treat this condition that was once thought impossible to fix.
Hyperopia
Also known as farsightedness, hyperopia is a condition where a person cannot see objects up close without glasses or corrective lenses. Affecting about 10% of the population, this condition is easily treatable with LASIK.
Myopia
Myopia — or nearsightedness — affects around ⅓ of the adult population. This condition makes it difficult for patients to see at a distance and is perhaps the most common affliction of LASIK patients.
Presbyopia
When people reach 40, they may suffer from Presbyopia. This is when the eye becomes more elastic than usual, and the eye loses its ability to focus. LASIK can create monovision for patients with presbyopia — allowing most patients to see far and near without the need for corrective lenses
What LASIK Cannot Fix
While LASIK is almost a risk-free surgery, it can’t fix every type of eye ailment. In some cases, you will have to find an alternative way to deal with your eye problems; others may not have a total fix at all. So if you have any of these conditions, you may have to find alternatives to traditional LASIK surgery.
Glaucoma
Glaucoma is a condition that affects the optic nerve of the eye — the part that connects to the brain. When glaucoma occurs, vision becomes blurred over time. While LASIK can treat those who have glaucoma under control, the procedure cannot fix glaucoma itself.
Cataracts
A cataract is a disease of the lens of the eye that causes it to get cloudy over time. Most common in people over 65, it’s not curable by LASIK. However, some people can have cataract surgery, which may be followed by LASIK in some cases.
Lazy Eye
Also known as amblyopia, lazy eye is an eye condition that starts early in life where the brain favors one eye over the other. While certain procedures can help with the condition, LASIK isn’t one of them, and even after LASIK, many people with lazy eyes continue to wear some sort of corrective lenses.
The Next Step for The Right Candidate
If your current eye condition falls under the “can fix” category, the next step is to get a LASIK consultation.
Not everyone is a great candidate for LASIK, but one quick consultation with Dr. Alexandra Chebil at our private Lasik center in Newport Beach and you will see whether it’s a good fit for you. Schedule your appointment today to see if LASIK is the next step toward an improved quality of life and crystal-clear vision. Book a complimentary consultation today.