How Your Cornea Size Can Affect Your Eligibility for LASIK
If you are considering getting LASIK in Los Angeles, then you’re not alone. Over 700,000 people receive this elective surgery every year. Why are the numbers so high? The best LASIK surgeons such as Doctor Moosa say that people are tired of relying on their glasses and contacts. Laser eye surgery is a quick and effective way to correct refractive errors for the long-term. Since the development of new technologies and methods, LASIK is now available to a greater range of patients. However, prospective patients will still be evaluated on specific criteria in their examination. One of the most important factors is corneal thickness.
According to LASIK surgeons, the reason that your corneas have to be a certain width is for the safety and effectiveness of the procedure. LASIK clinics will not agree to perform refractive surgery on a patient without first examining the condition of their eyes and confirming that their eyes meet the guidelines of a certain procedure. Although LASIK is one of the most common types of laser eye surgery, it is not the only one that can deliver results. Alternative procedures like PRK and SMILE eye surgery are also viable options for certain patients. These may be recommended if a patient is not a good candidate for LASIK.
During LASIK eye surgery, a qualified surgeon will use laser technology to create a flap in the cornea. The creation of the flap allows the surgeon to access the corneal stroma in order to correct refractive errors. Since the LASIK method relies heavily on removing corneal tissue, it can be problematic for patients with thinner or weaker corneas. In order to get LASIK, your corneas must measure between 500 and 600 microns. LASIK surgeons use ultrasound technology and imaging to determine whether the thickness of your cornea falls in this range. Proceeding with patients that are well below the minimum increases their chances of complications.
If you are determined to be ineligible for LASIK because of thin corneas, don’t fret! There are other options that await you. Both PRK and SMILE do not require the creation of a corneal flap and, therefore, are more conservative with corneal tissue. Before there was LASIK, there was PRK (Photorefractive Keratectomy). This traditional form of laser eye surgery is still offered and provides amazing results for the right patients. SMILE, on the other hand, is one of the newest innovations in laser eye surgery. SMILE stands for Small Incision Lenticule Extraction. With this technique, surgeons create a 3mm incision in the cornea in order to access the tissue for refractive error correction. Since it is minimally invasive, it can accommodate corneas that are slightly thinner or irregular in their shape.
Excel Laser Vision Institute offers LASIK, PRK, and SMILE for qualified patients. Our service is second-to-none because we have the newest technology and the most skilled staff on hand to treat your refractive errors. Whether you suffer from nearsightedness, farsightedness, or astigmatism, we will work with you to reach your vision goals. Contact us at https://www.exceleye.com/ or (866) 923-9235.
