LASIK Candidacy
Author: Sherman Winston Reeves, M.D. M.P.H.
Determining your LASIK candidacy is the first step to understanding what the future possibilities of vision correction could mean to you. Because your eyes are extremely unique there is no way to actually determine your candidacy 100% until you visit your eye doctor for a pre-operative evaluation. The pre-operative evaluation will involve a series of diagnostic tests to determine the stability of your vision. After a thorough evaluation of your cornea, the doctors will be able to determine if you are a candidate.
Below is a list of some items that are typically involved with the evaluation process.
- The measurement of corneal thickness, including corneal topography
- Complete review of overall eye health
- The measurement of your prescription or refractive errors
- Custom LASIK measurement for higher order aberrations.
- Dry eye test
- Complete dilation to view the back of the eye or the retina
- Glasses or contact lens history review
- Measurement of pupil size
Expectations
The main goal of LASIK is to reduce your dependence on glasses and contact lenses. LASIK or laser vision correction does not always create perfect 20/20 vision, though most cases are successful in improving vision. Ask the right questions before selecting your surgeon. Make sure that your surgeon of choice has the right answers, the best technology and the experience to ensure a safe and effective procedure.
Selecting A Surgeon:
When selecting a LASIK surgeon it is important to choose a LASIK surgeon that can effectively explain your visual needs and what your refractive surgery options might be:
- How many laser vision correction procedures have you performed
- Is your practice and doctors credentialed with the American Academy of Ophthalmology?
- What type of excimer laser do you use for LASIK eye surgery? Is this laser approved by the FDA and how does it compare to other excimer lasers?
- How old is the excimer laser that you use in LASIK surgery?
- Is the surgery painful? What can I expect after the LASIK surgery?
- Do you have any LASIK references that I could talk to?
