When Is The Best Time For A LASIK Consultation?in Boston, MA
Have you been thinking about getting LASIK? LASIK surgery is more advanced and low-risk than ever. According to the American Refractive Surgery Council, research shows that 99 percent of patients achieve better than 20/40 vision and over 90 percent achieve 20/20 vision or better.
You may be wondering when the best time is to even get a consultation for LASIK, or when to get the procedure. Keep reading to learn more about when the best time to get a LASIK consultation might be for you!
Age
While you may think you’ve stopped growing completely by the time you’re 18, your body is still changing. It continues to grow and develop into your twenties.
This growth includes frequent changes to your eyes and any refractive error you may have. This is why the majority of surgeons only perform LASIK on people in their mid to late twenties.
If your prescription is still changing, LASIK becomes ineffective. There’s no point in getting a permanent procedure if your eyes haven’t stabilized.
Though you need to be at least 18 before you get LASIK, you should have regular eye exams with an eye doctor to determine if your vision is stable and ready for the procedure.
Prescription
Most surgeons recommend having a stable prescription for at least a year before a LASIK consultation. Some even recommend two years.
It depends on what surgeon and eye care practice you go to. But if you want to get the most out of LASIK, take the more cautious recommendation.
This means waiting until your prescription hasn’t changed in two years. If it keeps on changing at that time, LASIK may not be for you. But you still have the option of getting a consultation.
Allergy Season
If you suffer from seasonal allergies, spring may not be the best time to get surgery or even a consultation. Having LASIK while struggling with allergies can be uncomfortable.
More than that though, it can affect your recovery. For those with tree pollen allergies, fall and winter are the best seasons to have LASIK. Waiting a bit for a consultation may be in your best interests regardless of current limitations.
Finding the Right Surgeon/Eye Care Practice
Before you go in for a consultation, do your research! Don’t rely on ads and promotions for LASIK that seem too good to be true.
Search for eye care practices that offer LASIK in your local area. If you know any family or friends who have had the procedure, ask them who performed it.
Internet research is helpful but you should take what you learn online with a grain of salt. Talking to people who have had the procedure may be the best way to find a good LASIK surgeon.
No Commitment
When you do get a consultation, there’s no commitment to go through with the surgery. This is true even if your eye care professional deems you a good candidate.
In fact, many consultations are free. You also may not qualify for LASIK, in which case you can still look into alternative surgeries. There’s no rush and no pressure to have any kind of surgery you’re not ready for.
Ready for a LASIK consultation? Schedule one at The Nielsen Eye Center in the greater Boston area!
Call The Nielsen Eye Center at 617-471-5665, where you can speak to one of our Patient Advocates about your vision correction options. Why not make 2020 the year you could see in 20/20?
