Lasik Eye Surgery & Other Eye Conditions
Serving Seattle, Bellevue, Everett, Olympia, and Tacoma, WA
Refractive eye surgery corrects vision defects caused by the eye’s shape. It does not correct other eye problems, such as cataracts, amblyopia, or strabismus. Patients with such conditions may be subject to additional risks and additional side effects and should discuss their condition with Bellevue Eye Surgeon Dr. Leavitt before deciding whether to have laser eye surgery.
Cataracts
A cataract is a gradual clouding of the lens inside the eye resulting in reduced vision. It is correctable by removal of the lens and its replacement with an artificial lens. Neither ASA nor LASIK will prevent cataracts, nor will they reverse a cataract that is beginning to appear.
Amblyopia
Amblyopia, also called Lazy Eye, is a medical condition that develops in early childhood. The person has reduced vision in one eye and relies on the other eye to focus. ASA or LASIK eye surgery will not reduce or eliminate amblyopia. It will not improve the vision in the amblyopic eye beyond its current level with glasses. Safety is the issue here. If the person were to have side effects or complications from LASIK done on the normal eye, he or she could lose vision, because the normal eye would no longer be able to compensate for the amblyopic eye.
Strabismus
Strabismus is an eye disorder caused by a weakness in the eye muscles. The eyes are not able to align properly so that only one can focus on what is being looked at, while the other is directed off at a slight angle. ASA or LASIK eye surgery will not correct, reduce, eliminate or prevent strabismus. If you were to have a LASIK procedure with pre-existing strabismus, you could develop double vision.
If you are uncertain about your candidacy for LASIK, the first step would be to call or email our Bellevue Lasik surgeon and arrange for a personal consultation. All of us here in our Seattle, WA office believe strongly in good patient education. You can bring all your laser vision correction questions and receive clear answers. We hope to meet with you soon.