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ARE
YOU A GOOD CANDIDATE FOR LASIK?
LASIK technology continues to
change and improve. Safety and accuracy has increased, and
post-operative complications have decreased. Because of the
superior accuracy of newer LASIK methods such as IntraLase,
certain patients who were ineligible for LASIK before, may
now be able to have the treatment.
Here are the most important
things to know:
- Some people are better
candidates for LASIK (and other types of laser surgery)
than others. Whether you are a good candidate depends on
factors such as your prescription, your eye health, and
your visual needs. I can determine if you are a good
candidate. If you are a good candidate, I will work
closely with the best eye surgeons in the area and I
will provide your pre-and-post surgical care.
During your pre-operative exam, we will determine if you
have any medical problems that may interfere with
refractive surgery or healing. Some of these problems
can be treated so that you can expect the best possible
outcome from surgery. Your pre-op exam includes the
following considerations:
- Quality and quantity
of tear production. Dry eyes need to be treated
before surgery.
- Corneal thickness
- Topography or surface
characteristics of cornea
- Large pupils (certain
procedures may be better for you than others)
- Is your prescription
within the acceptable range?
- Are you more suitable
for monovision or single vision?
- What is your
“true” or full prescription (performed under
dilation)
- Laser surgery is not a
cure-all. Having the surgery does not guarantee that you
will not need to wear contacts or glasses again. Your
prescription will continue to change and most people
still need reading glasses when they are over 40.
Besides for reading, glasses may be necessary for all
close activities such as conversation, reading your
watch or phone, and computer work.
- Laser surgery is not
without risks and you should fully understand the risks
before electing to have the surgery.
These cautions not
withstanding, laser surgery can provide a good solution and
can help you see better without contacts or glasses. Before
choosing the surgery, I strongly advise you to educate
yourself thoroughly on the procedure-- its benefits and its
shortcomings. I would be happy to advise you on this very
important decision.
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You are at least 21 years old
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You are in good general health
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Your vision prescription has been stable for at least one year
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You have no eye disease
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If you are a contact lens wearer, do your lenses get dry and/or gritty during the day?
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If you are a contact lens wearer, can you wear them comfortably each and every day for as long as you would like?
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Do your hobbies or occupation require "perfect vision"?
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Would you only have LASIK if you could be assured of never needing glasses or contacts again?
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Are you intolerant to contact lens wear?
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Do your glasses or contacts interfere with your recreational activities?
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Would you like to just wake up and see clearly?
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Does your image with glasses help define who you are?
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Are you happy with your appearance with glasses?
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Does putting on and taking care of contact lenses seem like a hassle?
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Are you scared of the thought misplacing your glasses or contacts?
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Do you feel very dependent upon your glasses or contacts? |
Do your glasses or contacts prevent you from enjoying every day living?
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