LASIK surgery corrects vision with the use of laser technology and eliminates the need for glasses and contact lenses. But not everyone will be an ideal candidate for this procedure. Below are a few essential qualifications for getting LASIK.

4 Requirements for LASIK

1. Appropriate Age

All LASIK candidates need to be at least 18 years old. In some instances, your eye doctor may recommend waiting until age 21. The eyes are still growing and developing well into puberty, and you want to be certain that LASIK is performed on a fully mature cornea.

2. Healthy Eyes

Most importantly, your eyes must be in good physical shape for LASIK. Infections, illnesses, and injuries must be fully healed before the procedure can be scheduled. Cataracts that interfere with a person's vision or untreated glaucoma can also disqualify you from the surgery. You must be in good overall health as autoimmune or degenerative diseases may affect healing.

3. Adequately Thick Corneas

LASIK improves vision by reshaping the cornea, the front portion of the eye. The ideal candidate has a cornea of sufficient thickness—at least 0.5mm—and regular shape. A thin or abnormally shaped cornea can affect the success of the procedure and may even damage your vision. The pupils must be of normal size, too. If they are naturally large, LASIK could cause you to see glares, halos, and stars in low-light settings.

4. Stable Vision

One of the great benefits of LASIK is that it's a permanent fix for less-than-clear vision. You want to be sure that the intensity of the correction is appropriate for the needs of your eyes. For this reason, the right candidate has maintained stable vision with the same prescription for at least a year before the procedure.

See if LASIK is right for you. Since 1994, Tri-State Centers for Sight has been serving the Cincinnati Metro and Northern Kentucky region. They offer a variety of eye surgeries and treatments, including LASIK, in addition to general ophthalmology services. Additionally, they utilize state-of-the-art technology in a comfortable and welcoming environment. Visit their website to schedule an exam.