WHAT CANNOT BE CORRECTED WITH LASIK
Understanding the Limitations of LASIK: What Cannot Be Corrected with LASIK.
While PRK is the original laser eye surgery, LASIK surgery has revolutionized vision correction until TRANS PRK came into the picture. However, it’s essential to recognize that while LASIK can address a wide range of refractive errors, it does have its limitations. By understanding these limitations is crucial for managing expectations and making informed decisions about vision correction in general.
One of the key aspects to grasp about LASIK is that it primarily corrects refractive errors, such as nearsightedness, farsightedness, and astigmatism.
For example, conditions such as presbyopia, which typically occurs around the age of 40 and leads to difficulty in focusing on close objects, cannot be corrected with LASIK. Presbyopia is a natural part of aging and is caused by the hardening of the lens in the eye, making it less flexible. While LASIK can correct distance vision, it does not restore the eye’s ability to focus on near objects. Instead, individuals with presbyopia may require reading glasses or other vision correction options such as PRK or TRANS PRK.
Another condition that LASIK cannot correct is severe or irregular astigmatism. While LASIK can effectively treat mild to moderate astigmatism by reshaping the cornea, cases of severe or irregular astigmatism may not be suitable for LASIK. In such instances, alternative treatments like PRK may be recommended by eye care professionals.
Furthermore, individuals with certain eye health issues, such as keratoconus or thin corneas, may not be suitable candidates for LASIK. Keratoconus is a progressive condition where the cornea thins and bulges outward into a cone shape, leading to distorted vision. LASIK can exacerbate this condition and is generally not recommended. Similarly, individuals with thin corneas may not have enough tissue to safely undergo LASIK surgery.
It’s important to remember that LASIK is not a one-size-fits-all solution for vision correction. While it has transformed the lives of many individuals, there are limitations to what it can achieve. Consulting with a qualified ophthalmologist is crucial to determine whether LASIK is the right option for your specific vision needs and to explore alternative treatments if necessary.
In conclusion, while LASIK can effectively correct common refractive errors, there are certain conditions and vision problems that it cannot address. Understanding these limitations and discussing them with your eye care provider is essential for making informed decisions about vision correction options.
Along with the above issues that LASIK can not correct, it is important to understand what would make you a good candidate. lifestyle factors such as being a first responder, or playing sports may make you reconsider LASIK where the flap can easily be dislodged. PRK or TRANS PRK are often the better option for this lifestyle.