When it comes to eye surgery, particularly LASIK, most people tend to get fixated upon the cost of LASIK. Based on where you are getting it from and the expertise of the professional, you can have to pay a hefty sum. However, once the conundrum over the price has been resolved, most people don’t always hesitate to take other things in mind.

As a surgery with proven results, LASIK is very popular and with almost no side effects to deal with, there’s no better way to say goodbye to your prescription eye spectacles. However, before you book an appointment with your chosen surgeon, the following are some important factors that you need to consider before you get LASIK eye surgery:

1. Being a Good Candidate

To qualify for your eye surgery, you need to be a good candidate. This means that you not only need to be 18 years old and above, your eyes also need to be in good shape. However, there are a few scenarios, such as the ones mentioned below that can disqualify you:

  • Misshapen or thin corneas.
  • Vision problems – These refer to severe cases where the hyperopia is stronger than +6.00 diopters or the myopia is stronger than -12.00 diopters or, in the event of astigmatism, it is more than 6 diopters.
  • Dry eyes – severe or chronic condition.
  • Corneal scarring.

If you have any of these conditions, you won’t be a suitable candidate for LASIK eye surgery. However, you might be recommended alternate surgeries or procedures.

2. The Pre-Surgery Care Has to Be Followed

Suppose you’re a good candidate and you set up an appointment for your surgery. Well, just like any other surgery, there are certain pre-surgery precautions that you need to take. Your surgeon will most likely recommend what you need to do but the following are the most important:

  • Stop wearing soft lenses – This has to be done at least 2 weeks before your surgery is due.
  • Stop wearing hard lenses – Since hard lenses are different, you will have to stop wearing them at least 3 weeks before your LASIK surgery.
  • Don’t wear any makeup – Again, stop wearing it at least 1 week or more before you get the surgery done.

If this seems odd, you should know that wearing makeup increases the chances of getting an eye infection. Even if you have never gotten one before, you don’t have to push the odds here. Additionally, lenses tend to alter the shape of the cornea.

For the surgery to be a success, you need to give your corneas time to resume their normal curvature. This can take a few days or weeks. So, it’s a good idea to follow their instructions carefully.

3. Glasses Might Still be Needed

LASIK surgery has the highest success rate out of all eye surgeries with 99% chances of curing your failing eyesight. Most patients are able to get their eyesight up to 20-40% or even better vision. However, there is still a 1% chance that you might not be able to eliminate the need for glasses completely. Always understand that there are limitations to this surgery.

Based on how severe your vision is getting LASIK might only improve your eyesight to require a lower prescription. If your eyesight has severely deteriorated, you may not be suited for LASIK at all. It’s a good idea to avoid disappointment by discussing the chances of success with your surgeon beforehand. However, many people who undergo LASIK are happy with the results they get, even if they have to use glasses, even after they get the surgery done.

4. There are a Few Side Effects

Many people focus so much on the success stories of LASIK that they often forget that there are certain side effects associated with it as well. The following are the ones that you usually experience after LASIK:

  • Dryness of the eyes – You will have to use eye drops to keep your eyes moisturized.
  • A glare or halo in eyesight – This will be especially prominent in bright lights.
  • Poor vision – You might experience some blurriness or fluctuation in your vision for a bit.

The good news here is that they are only minor but if you aren’t expecting them, they can catch you completely off guard. Additionally, it is very rare for one to experience severe side effects. Luckily, these minor side effects subside as your eyes begin to heal.

5. Take a Break from Physical Activities

Once you get the surgery, you need to take a break from heavy physical activities including contact sports. Since a corneal flap is created in the cornea, it takes around 4 to 6 weeks for the eyes to heal. During this time, you need to protect your eyes from any damage, not just strong sunlight. Any injury sustained could result in permanent damage to the eyes so it is necessary to take all precautions possible. Additionally, there’s a higher chance of getting debris and dirt in your eyes when you’re out playing football.

By paying attention to these factors, you can make a more educated decision about getting LASIK eye surgery.