Do you want to reduce your dependence on glasses and contact lenses? You may want to consider a procedure like LASIK.
You may have already heard of LASIK, as it’s the most popular elective procedure. If you have a refractive error and must wear glasses or contact lenses to see, you may have even thought about having LASIK in the past.
But many people falsely assume they won’t be a good candidate for the vision correction procedure. In actuality, most patients who get evaluated for LASIK make great candidates.
Some factors could help you get a good idea of if you may be a LASIK candidate before your LASIK consultation at St. Luke’s. Keep reading to discover why you could be a LASIK candidate and not know it!
You’re Frustrated With Your Contact Lenses
For anyone who hates wearing glasses, contact lenses are the go-to alternative. But wearing contact lenses has drawbacks as well.
Do you like seeing without glasses but get frustrated with how often you have to change your contacts whenever you wear them? This could be a sign that you should think about having LASIK.
When you have LASIK, you’ll no longer need to depend on glasses or contact lenses to see the world around you. You can say goodbye to worrying about contact lenses drying out or wearing them for too long.
Instead, you can look forward to clearer, crisper vision from when you wake up until you sleep.
You Hate How Expensive Prescription Sunglasses Are
If you prefer wearing glasses to contact lenses, you still have to contend with the many annoyances that come with glasses. One thing that you have to deal with is sunglasses.
Sunglasses and eyeglasses can cause their fair share of problems. You have options, but they can be frustrating.
You can pay for transition lenses, which can be expensive, choose prescription sunglasses, which can also cost a lot, or settle for wearing sunglasses over your regular glasses.
The last option is never a good one and does not provide your eyes with ample protection from the sun. It may also result in headaches.
The good news is that after LASIK, wearing sunglasses becomes far easier. You’ll no longer have to switch between prescription sunglasses and glasses when you go inside and outside.
Instead, you can wear the sunglasses you want. You’ll save money when you no longer need to purchase transition lenses or prescription sunglasses.
Remember that you’ll still need to wear sunglasses that provide adequate protection from the sun’s UV rays after LASIK. However, you’ll have far more choices about what you want to wear, and you can look good while protecting your eyes!
You’ve Lost Or Broken Your Glasses One Too Many Times
Glasses are easy to lose and break. Sometimes, it can seem like the worst part is having to get a replacement pair. Buying a new pair of glasses can be stressful if you’re not expecting the cost.
A new pair of glasses may cost you several hundred dollars. Depending on your vision insurance plan, a replacement pair may cost more if your plan doesn’t cover them.
If you’ve purchased one too many replacement pairs of glasses, why not consider LASIK instead? With LASIK, you can pay for the procedure up-front or use financing plans to make it more affordable.
Wouldn’t it be nice to no longer pay for glasses, contact lenses, and the accessories that go with them? On average, most people spend $500 every year on visual aids. You could cut this cost out of your budget entirely after LASIK.
You Want to Start Saving Money
Do you want to start saving money? You can start by cutting out the costs associated with visual aids.
You can start saving money when you no longer have to spend $500 every year (or more) on glasses and contact lenses. LASIK is a permanent procedure because it reshapes the cornea to correct refractive errors like nearsightedness, farsightedness, and astigmatism.
Getting LASIK means you can finally stop depending on glasses and contact lenses to see. Most LASIK patients pay off their LASIK procedure in as little as two years.
When you pay off your LASIK procedure, it starts paying for itself. What could you do with an extra $500 every year?
That could add up quickly towards a down payment on your first home, an engagement ring for your partner, or saving up for a rainy day. Whatever it may be, you’ll never regret investing in yourself and your vision.
Your Allergy Symptoms Get Worse Whenever You Wear Contact Lenses
Do you have seasonal allergies? If so, you’re not alone, as millions suffer from them.
If you have allergies and wear contact lenses, you may have noticed that they can affect your symptoms. Most people’s allergies are due to pollen floating in the air or sticking to surfaces during allergy season.
Pollen gets everywhere and tends to stick to anything it gets on. When you wear contact lenses during allergy season, it starts an endless and uncomfortable cycle.
Even if you’ve diligently washed your hands before handling your contact lenses, there may still be pollen on your hands. That pollen will then get in your eyes, causing uncomfortable symptoms like itchiness and watering.
You may rub your eyes throughout the day to try to alleviate these symptoms, but because you have pollen on your hands, hair, or clothes, you’ve gotten more in your eyes. The cycle is endless; short of wearing glasses all allergy season long, it can feel like there’s no solution.
But one thing you can do to improve your allergy symptoms is to get LASIK. LASIK helps because you’ll no longer need to put in contact lenses.
You’ll also significantly reduce how much you need to touch your eyes throughout the day. Many LASIK patients with allergies find that their symptoms become much more manageable after getting the vision correction procedure.
Your Prescription is Stable
Do you have a stable prescription that’s remained unchanged for a year or more? You may be a good LASIK candidate!
A stable prescription is one of the most crucial factors for determining a patient’s LASIK candidacy. The more stable your prescription is, the more effective LASIK is.
The procedure changes the shape of your eye to correct your current refractive error. You also need to have a prescription that’s within the acceptable treatment limits.
LASIK can correct up to -11.00 diopters of nearsightedness, +5.00 diopters of farsightedness, and 5.00 diopters of astigmatism. As this covers most patients, chances are good that your prescription falls within these limits!
You’re in Good Health
You should be in good health to undergo any elective procedure, including LASIK. Certain medical conditions can affect your ability to heal from surgery. You also shouldn’t be currently pregnant or breastfeeding.
You’re Over 18
Your vision is still changing even in your early to mid-teens. LASIK is only FDA-approved for patients who are at least 18 years old.
Some LASIK surgeons prefer patients in their mid to late twenties to ensure their vision has fully stabilized. Technically, once you’re 18, your vision should be stable, but this isn’t a magic number.
Your vision may take several years to stabilize. Your eye doctor will let you know when your eyesight is stable enough to consider LASIK.
You Have Realistic Expectations
Many patients that have LASIK have incredible results. Most end up with 20/20 vision or better! But the only way to know if you’re a good LASIK candidate is to schedule a LASIK consultation at St. Luke’s.
Although LASIK is a life-changing procedure, it’s not appropriate for everyone. Another crucial component before having LASIK is having realistic expectations of what the procedure can accomplish.
There are no guarantees with LASIK. Because it’s a surgical procedure, it does come with risks and possible complications.
Your LASIK surgeon will thoroughly review these with you before you undergo the procedure. Knowing what to expect before, during, and after LASIK will help ensure you are prepared every step of the way.
Are you ready to find out if you’re a LASIK candidate? Take the first step by scheduling your LASIK consultation at St. Luke’s Cataract and Laser Institute at one of our seven locations!
