Am I a Candidate For LASIK or the EVO ICL? 

Blog post by: Eye Physicians of Long Beach

LASIK and EVO ICL can significantly decrease or eliminate your reliance on visual aids, making everyday life more convenient, enjoyable, and hassle-free. While both vision correction procedures are highly effective, their success is often largely determined by whether you meet specific criteria.  

Keep reading to learn more about whether you might be a candidate for LASIK or the EVO ICL!

What is LASIK?

LASIK is a laser eye surgery that corrects refractive errors, including nearsightedness, astigmatism, and farsightedness, considerably reducing or removing the need for prescription lenses. During the minimally invasive procedure, your LASIK surgeon will: 

• Create a thin flap in the epithelium, the outer layer of the cornea, using a femtosecond laser. 

• Fold the flap back to access the underlying corneal tissue called the stroma. 

• Reshape the stroma by removing small amounts of corneal tissue using an excimer laser, correcting your refractive error.  

• Gently reposition the flap in place without using any sutures.  

Who is a Candidate for LASIK? 

You may be a good LASIK candidate, if you meet the following requirements: 

You’re at Least 18 Years Old 

The FDA has set the minimum age for getting LASIK at 18. That is because before then, vision is usually still changing. 

Stable vision is essential for achieving optimal, long-lasting outcomes. Undergoing LASIK before your eyesight stabilizes can lead to regression. 

Regression occurs when the vision correction attained through LASIK diminishes. By having LASIK when you are at least 18 years, you can lower the risk of regression and enjoy the results of your procedure longer.  

Your Corneas Have Sufficient Thickness 

Your corneas should be thick enough to safely make a flap and reshape your cornea during LASIK. For people with thin corneas, undergoing LASIK can compromise the structural integrity of the cornea, increasing the risk of corneal ectasia. 

Corneal ectasia is a group of conditions that distort the shape of your cornea, causing it to thin, weaken, and bulge. Symptoms of corneal ectasia vary and can include double vision, halos, glare, and worsening vision. 

Your Eyes are Healthy  

Some eye conditions can cause complications during LASIK and affect your recovery. These include chronic dry eye, keratoconus, cataracts, and glaucoma. 

Your Prescription Must be Within LASIK Limits 

To have LASIK, your prescription should fall within the treatable range. 

Treating very high refractive errors with LASIK can lead to unpredictable outcomes and heighten the risk of vision complications when too much corneal tissue is removed. 

You Have a Stable Vision Prescription 

Your eyesight might still be changing even if you are 18 years or older. If your prescription is not stable, your vision can continue to change after LASIK. 

When this happens and you get LASIK, you may need another procedure or to return to glasses or contact lenses to see clearly. For LASIK to deliver optimal, long-term results, your prescription should be the same for at least a year or two.  

You’re in Good Overall Health 

Certain diseases can affect wound healing after surgery, making one ineligible for LASIK. These include uncontrolled diabetes and autoimmune disorders like lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, and Sjorgren’s syndrome.  

Having good overall health decreases the risk of complications and ensures a successful recovery. 

You’re Not Pregnant or Nursing  

Hormonal changes that occur when pregnant or nursing can temporarily affect vision stability. LASIK surgeons often recommend delaying surgery until these stages are over and your hormonal levels and vision have stabilized. 

What is EVO ICL? 

EVO ICL (Implantable Collamer Lens) is an additive technology that corrects nearsightedness and astigmatism, giving you freedom from glasses or contact lenses. The procedure provides a different approach to vision correction. 

It entails implanting a biocompatible lens in your eye to accurately focus light, correcting your refractive error. For this procedure, your surgeon will: 

• Create a tiny incision in your cornea. 

• Insert the lens through the incision, placing it in front of the natural lens of the eye and behind the iris, the colored part of the eye.  

• The lens works in harmony with your eye, providing clear, unaided vision. 

One advantage of EVO ICL is that it’s a reversible procedure. The implanted lens can be removed or replaced at any time, should your vision need change. 

This gives patients who want long-term vision correction without permanent changes to their eyes added peace of mind.  

Who is a Candidate for EVO ICL? 

Like LASIK, you can be an EVO ICL candidate if you: 

• Have healthy eyes 

• Have good overall health 

• Are not pregnant or nursing 

• Have a prescription that has remained stable for at least a year 

If you’re not eligible for LASIK because of the following, EVO ICL can also be an excellent alternative.  

• Thin corneas 

• Chronic dry eyes  

• High prescriptions beyond what LASIK can treat 

• Are a police officer, firefighter, or military personnel, which present a high risk of flap dislocation  

• Lead a very active lifestyle or engage in contact sports that increase the risk of the LASIK flap getting dislodged due to face or eye trauma 

Additionally, you should also meet specific criteria to qualify for EVO ICL: 

You’re Between 21 and 45 Years Old 

EVO ICL is approved for individuals between the ages of 21 and 45. At this age range, vision has often stabilized, and patients are less likely to have developed age-related eye conditions.  

You Have Moderate to Severe Nearsightedness or Astigmatism 

EVO ICL can correct -3.00 to -20.00 diopters of nearsightedness and between 1.0 to 4.0 diopters of astigmatism.  

Brand New, Clear Vision with LASIK or EVO ICL 

At Eye Physicians of Long Beach, LASIK and EVO ICL candidacy are determined on a case-by-case basis, taking into account your vision needs, lifestyle, medical history, and other factors. This individualized approach ensures the best possible results and the highest safety standards for every patient. 

Are you ready to find out whether LASIK or EVO ICL is right for you? Schedule your appointment at Eye Physicians of Long Beach in Long Beach, CA, today to take the first step toward sharp, crisp, unhindered vision.