What Does Stable Vision Mean to Qualify for LASIK?

If you are considering LASIK, you may already know that your age, prescription and eye health matter. Another important part of LASIK candidacy is whether your vision has remained stable over time.

What is Stable Vision and Why Does it Matter?

Stable vision does not mean perfect eyesight. It generally means your glasses or contact lens prescription has changed little enough over a period of time that your surgeon can plan treatment using a reliable measurement of your refractive error.

Why does that matter? LASIK reshapes the cornea to correct the prescription you have at the time of surgery. If your prescription is still changing, your eyes may continue to change after the procedure, which can affect how well the correction continues to match your vision needs.

How is Candidacy Determined at CorrectVision Laser Institute?

At CorrectVision Laser Institute, candidacy is determined through a comprehensive evaluation rather than by prescription alone. In general, patients are expected to have a stable prescription for at least one year, although the exact amount of acceptable change depends on the individual and the surgeon’s assessment.

Prescription stability can be especially important for younger adults because nearsightedness and other refractive errors may continue changing into the early adult years. Waiting until the prescription is sufficiently stable can help make the treatment plan more predictable.

Contact lenses can also temporarily influence the shape of the cornea and therefore the measurements used for LASIK planning. Depending on the type of lenses you wear, the CorrectVision team may ask you to stop wearing them for a period before your evaluation so the cornea can return closer to its natural shape. Follow the specific instructions you receive from your eye care team.

What Else is Involved in the LASIK Screening Process?

Stable vision is only one part of the LASIK screening process. CorrectVision also evaluates factors such as corneal thickness and shape, tear film and dry eye status, overall eye health and the type and degree of refractive error. These measurements help determine whether LASIK or another vision correction procedure is a better fit.

It is also important to remember that stable vision before LASIK does not mean your eyes will never change again. LASIK does not stop the natural aging process. Presbyopia, cataracts and other age-related changes can still affect vision later in life.

The purpose of confirming stability is to choose an appropriate time for treatment and create a plan based on dependable measurements. That is why a thorough consultation is so important before deciding whether to move forward.

Free LASIK Consultations at CorrectVision Laser Institute

If you are wondering whether your vision is stable enough for LASIK, schedule a free LASIK consultation with CorrectVision Laser Institute. Our team can review your prescription history, evaluate your eye health and discuss the vision correction options that may be right for you. Our team can evaluate your prescription, corneal health and vision goals and explain which options may be appropriate for you. Call (954) 442-1133 or click HERE to get started.