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A Complete Guide on Importance of Corneal Thickness to LASIK

Over the years, LASIK has been an effective vision correction procedure for people with different levels of eye infections. Based on statistics, more than 700 000 eye patients sign for this procedure every year. Those already using eyeglasses and contact lenses are getting to know the efficiency of LASIK. And, as a result, many of them have made a significant switch from glasses to LASIK.

Indeed, LASIK is one of the best vision correction procedures available in the present medical world. It is fast, safe, and provides a lasting solution that patients can enjoy for a lifetime. Without a doubt, LASIK is a good option for anyone who cares to have a perfectly restored. Aside from those that haven’t heard about its efficiency, most people with impaired vision demand to go for LASIK – even without a recommendation from their ophthalmologist. learn more about LASIK procedure cost at https://www.personaleyes.com.au/costs/lasiklaser-eye-surgery-cost

However, it is a pity that not everyone can undergo LASIK. that is why it is left as the doctor’s responsibility to prescribe whether a patient is fit or not. A few factors determine who qualifies as a candidate for LASIK. So, if you don’t tick all the standards, your doctor would not recommend you for LASIK.

One of the significant factors that qualify you for LASIK is the thickness of your cornea. It is essential in the LASIK procedure equation. I know you might be wondering why the thickness of your cornea is so vital to LASIK. There is only one reason – safety.

The thickness of the cornea is paramount to your safety during LASIK

Although, the LASIK procedure is safe and straightforward. But the patient can only be secure if his cornea is thick enough for the procedure. As a matter of fact, it is unethical for a surgeon to perform LASIK on patients with thin cornea. Why? The reason is simple. If your cornea is too thin, it might lead to severe complications, which may pose lasting damage to the patient’s eyes.

Your comfort and safety should be your doctor’s number one priority as a patient. Hence, every surgeon must first conduct a pre-screening test of your eyes to determine if the cornea is thick enough for the procedure. Once the doctor finds out that your cornea is too thin or weak, he would ask you to try other vision correction alternatives such as eyeglasses and contact lenses.

To measure your cornea’s thickness, surgeons use ultrasound technology and imaging to get an accurate measurement. During this process, you must be patient enough to comply with all the doctor’s directions to make the process easier. On the norms, the measuring method does not take long. If you are working with experts with well-functioning equipment, everything will be ready in a matter of minutes.

How to create a corneal flap during LASIK

As you might have also guessed, your ophthalmologist has a lot to do with your corneal during the LASIK procedure. In the process, your surgeon would use a laser to create a flap in the tissue of your cornea gently. The flap would allow your ophthalmologist to have smooth access to your corneal stroma. The complete access will enable the surgeon to reshape it and correct all the refractive errors.

Since the procedure rewires that your ophthalmologists remove your corneal tissue, your doctor wouldn’t have much support for the thinning of your cornea if the cornea is too thin or weak. If he tries, it will only cause further damages ion your vision and the eyes. If you are an Athletes you must read the best eye correction procedure by clicking here

What to do if your cornea is too thin for LASIK

As explained earlier in this article, LASIK is a great eye surgery option that gives patients lasting vision solutions. However, in case the thickness of your cornea doesn’t qualify you for the procedure, is all hope lost? No.

There are many other vision correction options for patients who are not qualified for LASIK. Before LASIK came into prominence, eyeglasses were the major eye correction options available. Then later, contact lenses became another alternative. Depending on the level of your eye infection, your ophthalmologist may suggest that you go for prescribed eyeglasses or contact lenses if you are not qualified for LASIK.

However, if you still choose to have laser surgery, there’s still a way out. If you don’t know, LASIK is not the only laser surgery procedure available in the present medical world. Thanks to the ever-advancing technology, the medical world has discovered another effective laser eye surgery option called SMILE.

Though LASIK and SMILE are a bit similar in procedure, they have some slight differences that separate them as two different options. Hence, if your cornea is not fit for the LASIK procedure, it is not an automatic disqualification for other refractive surgeries. You might be a perfect candidate for SMILE or Visian ICL refractive implant surgery.

SMILE eye surgery

SMILE is an acronym for Small Incision Lenticule Extraction. It is a laser eye surgery that provides an excellent vision that can last for a lifetime. SMILE is a blade-free vision correction procedure requiring the surgeon to create a corneal flap. The surgeon reshapes the patient’s cornea through a tiny 3mm incision with an efficient femtosecond laser during the SMILE procedure.

SMILE is a better alternative to LASIK, especially for patients who are not qualified for the latter due to thin cornea. Most surgeon argues that SMILE is safer and more efficient compared to LASIK. Though that claim does not have a factual backing yet, you can trust SMILE if LASIK is not going to work for you.

Visian ICL Refractive Implant Surgery

This refractive implant surgery is a good option for surgeons to correct some refractive errors in a patient’s eye without removing the corneal tissue. Unlike SMILE and LASKI, which require the surgeon to reshape a patient’s cornea to correct vision, the ophthalmologist only has to implant a vision-correcting lens through a small corneal incision. This eye surgery option is suitable for thin or weak cornea patients. If you are qualified for: LASIK, you can consider this option.

Final Words

LASIK is a great vision correction option for you if your cornea is thick enough to withstand the operation. But, if your cornea disqualifies you as a LASIK candidate, you don’t have to settle for glasses and contact lenses. You can opt for SMILE or Visian ICL refractive surgery to get the same lasting perfect vision in the shortest time possible.

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