Photograph

Am I a candidate for LASIK?

Home \ Eyecare Services \ Medical Services \ Am I a candidate for LASIK?

We, and your LASIK surgeon, will make an evaluation of these factors, and will advise you on the best course for you. The main factors we will examine are:

Refractive Error

This corresponds to your glasses prescription. Each laser system has its own range of prescription that it is approved to treat. The LADARVision system can treat from +6.00 diopters of farsightedness to -12.00 diopters of nearsightedness. Also, up to -6.00 diopters of astigmatism can be treated. The limit of treatment in your case will be determined by the thickness and curvature of your cornea before treatment.

Corneal Thickness

We, and your LASIK surgeon will measure the thickness of the clear front surface of your eye (the cornea). This is important because your vision is corrected in LASIK by re-shaping your corneal surface with the laser. This is accomplished by a precise sculpting of the cornea by the laser. The greater your glasses prescription, the greater amount of corneal tissue is removed during the LASIK procedure.  Your corneal thickness before LASIK will be measured, and the final thickness after LASIK will be calculated.  The LASIK surgeon must be satisfied that the final corneal thickness will be sufficient to avoid complications.

Corneal Curvature

Your corneal curvature is part of what determines your glasses prescription. Farsighted people tend to have flatter corneal curvatures, and nearsighted people tend to have steeper corneas.  Astigmatism is due partly to unequal vertical and horizontal curves of the corneal surface. Your corneal curvature will be measured, and your final curvature after LASIK will be calculated. Your curvature before and after LASIK must be within a safe range to proceed with LASIK.

Overall Ocular Health

We, and your LASIK surgeon will determine whether there are any underlying conditions that would interfere with obtaining a positive result in your LASIK procedure. Some conditions, such as macular degeneration and cataracts, would affect your level of vision despite a good LASIK outcome. Other conditions, such as central serous retinopathy and prescription fluctuations in diabetes must be resolved before you can proceed with LASIK. Women should wait about 2 months following childbirth to allow their prescription to stabilize after pregnancy.