In this week’s commonly asked questions, we answer what LASIK does not correct. LASIK is sometimes thought of as a cure-all for all eye conditions, which it is not.
Can LASIK fix Astigmatism, nearsightedness, or farsightedness?
Assuming a patient is a good candidate, LASIK can treat up to -9.5 D of nearsightedness, up to 5 D of astigmatism, and up to 5 D of farsightedness. The exact ranges might differ slightly based on what lasers your doctor is using. Requirements to be a good candidate include healthy eye structures and good corneal thickness and shape.
Can LASIK Fix Lazy Eye or floaters?
LASIK can’t fix floaters (little globs of vitreous gel floating inside the back of the eye) or eye muscle misalignment. LASIK would not fix adult amblyopia (poor vision in one eye due to incomplete connectivity with the brain), although it has been used to benefit amblyopia in children when amblyopia is due to a major disparity in eye power correction between the 2 eyes; by balancing the 2 eyes, LASIK can give the weaker eye a better chance to make proper connections with the brain in the critical formative period in childhood.
Can LASIK fix Presbyopia?
Presbyopia, or focusing dysfunction, occurs when the lens that you are born with fails to change shape as it once did, resulting in a loss of ability to shift focus from distance to near. LASIK doesn’t treat the lens, but using a technique called blended vision, where we correct one eye for distance and one eye for computer vision or near, we can help patients with presbyopia reduce or eliminate the need for glasses. In this context, before performing LASIK, we would want to confirm blended vision works well for the patient by performing a contact lens trial for a few weeks to make sure the brain can automatically switch from one eye for distance to the other eye for near.
Why does LASIK cause Dry Eyes?
Any eye surgery can affect the nerves of the surface of the eye. It usually takes 3-6 months for the corneal nerves to recover, during which time, the eyes can be drier than usual. Dryness can be treated with eyedrops, omega-3 supplementation, tear retention plugs, and other procedures if necessary.
Our surgeons, Dr. Ambati, Dr. Mando, and Dr. Neizpodzany are happy to consult about LASIK surgery, or one of the possible alternatives to determine what the correct treatment is for you.
