While having glasses can enhance some people’s looks, you may not fit into that category. For many of us, glasses and contact lenses can be a hassle. If you would love to do without the eyewear, and are wondering if you’re eligible to get a LASIK, then this post is for you.

History of LASIK

Vision correction started off from the 13^th century when the first eye glasses were developed in Italy. From then on, people have been on the search for an alternative that can help correct their vision problems. Contact lenses were introduced in 1888 in Switzerland; but still, there was the need for a better option.

Almost a century later, when excimer laser was introduced in the 1970s, scientists finally knew they can work towards an eye corrective option using laser. Thousands of experiments, studies and researches followed and exactly 100 years after the first contact lenses were introduced, a corrective eye surgery took place in 1988. The patient was a 60 year old woman and it was the first time photorefractive keratectomy (PRK) procedure was performed. It took another few years to get it approved but by 1999, the procedure, now known as LASIK was approved in the USA.

Although the technology was finally available, there was still a need to refine it. So, in the efforts to make vision corrective surgery even better, scientists developed wave-front analysis. Just like fingerprints, each individual has unique corneal maps. The analysis helped the doctors reshape a patient’s cornea more precisely, which greatly enhanced the effects of the procedure. Soon after, the bladeless LASIK was introduced and since then, thousands of people have benefitted from the corrective eye surgery.

Candidate Eligibility

Not everyone is eligible for LASIK. There are a few requirements that you must fulfil before going in for the procedure. There’s no doubt that it would reduce your dependence on eye glasses and this dream will become a reality once you qualify as a Lasik candidate.

Here are some of the conditions that must be fulfilled if you want to avail this opportunity of a lifetime.

• Age: You must be at least 18 years old to get the procedure done.
• General Health: You must be in good overall health. At the time of the surgery, it is generally advised to not be taking medicines that can affect the immune response. People who have uncontrolled diabetes or vascular diseases might want to consult their doctor before going for the procedure.
• Eye Health: Those with good overall eye health can be good candidates – be sure to inform your LASIK surgeon regarding any history including previous eye conditions (ie., herpes simplex, corneal issues, certain retinal and optic nerve diseases).
• Eye Injury: At the time of the procedure, the candidate must be free of any eye infections or active eye injury.
• Pregnancy/Nursing: The hormonal changes in the body of a pregnant or nursing woman can affect the stability of the prescription. That’s why such such candidates need to consult their doctor beforehand.

If you fulfil all the requirements and don’t have any conditions that can hinder the procedure, you’ll be eligible for the procedure. Although FDA in the USA has approved LASIK to treat nearsightedness for up to -12 D some doctors perform the procedure maximum for -8 D. The maximum range for farsightedness is +5 D.

Now that your dream is within your grasp, it’s time to prepare for the procedure.

What Happens During the Procedure

Now that you know you’re eligible for the procedure, it’s high time you get some information about the procedure. Getting to know about what happens during the procedure will help you make the decision.

The Procedure

• Numbing drops: Once you lie down and are comfortable, numbing drops are added to your eyes. The medication ensures that you don’t feel any discomfort during the LASIK procedure.
• Keep it open: A small device is used to keep your eye open wide during the procedure. Remember that these steps don’t feel comfortable because of the numbing medication.
• Creating a flap: A laser is used to create a flap on the cornea. This step requires suction so you’d feel a little pressure. Don’t worry though. It doesn’t hurt. The flap is folded to expose the area that ahs to be reshaped.
• Laser treatment: Now for the most important part of the surgery. The surgeon sets the laser machine to the specific programming that is needed for your corrective surgery. The surgeon points the laser directly in your eyes and the treatment begins. This doesn’t take more than minute. The surgeon asks you to look at a target to evaluate the success of the procedure. At the same time, the surgeon keeps observing your eye through a microscope. The flap is closed.
• Corrective Surgery Done: Once your one eye is done, the surgeon will do the same procedure on the other eye. And just like that, your dream of improving your eyesight after years of using spectacles will come true.

Remember that your eye will require after procedure care to start and aid recovery.

The Recovery Process

The healing process starts as soon as soon as the LASIK surgery is complete. The corneal flap is gently eased down in its original position. It sticks to the layer and without the need of any bandages, it heals perfectly. It takes some time but it doesn’t cause any problems in the long run.

The surgeon will prescribe some medicated eye drops for you. You must start using them right after the procedure. These drops help to prevent infections and also reduce the inflammation. Use them as directed. If you experience some stinging in the eye don’t worry. It’s normal and so is blurry vision, right after you use the drops. Keep using the drops and soon enough your eyes will be healed completely.

If you’re interested in the procedure but can’t find the best provider yet, use ZendyHealth’s list of qualified and, professional providers. Request a quote today or learn more to Pick Your Price and save the most to get the procedure done at your desired price without sacrificing quality!              

HSA Eligibility—This procedure is most likely an eligible procedure for your Health Savings Account (HSA). Please check with your HSA administrator. Don’t have an HSA? Learn more about the triple-tax savings benefit with an HSA from one of our partners.

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