Am I a Candidate for LASIK

LASIK Candidacy - Laser Eye Surgery Tallahassee, Florida

Not everyone is a candidate for the LASIK procedure but there are millions of nearsighted, farsighted and astigmatic or people in North America. Determining your candidacy is the crucial step to your path for better vision. If you are a candidate the chances of success will be excellent. If you are not a candidate Dr. Richard Palmer will explain the reasons and potentially suggest a different vision correction procedure if one applies to your specific visual case. Palmer Eye Center offers other vision correction alternatives such as premium lens implants. The reason that this pre-operative exam is so important is that no two eyes are the same. No two cornea maps are the same just like with a Fingerprint or DNA sample. This is why a pre-operative exam is absolutely necessary. Before LASIK is performed you will be required to undergo 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.

Basic LASIK candidacy requirements

Determine if LASIK is right for you:

• Must be over 18 years of age
• Must have a stable vision prescription
• Must have a track record of healthy eyes
• Must not have keratoconus
• Must not have severe dry eye syndrome
• Must not be pregnant with a baby
• Must pass corneal thickness tests

Your decision to have LASIK laser vision correction depends on the results of a very thorough preoperative evaluation. On the day of your preoperative exam, we will complete multiple tests and points of evaluation including:

• Corneal thickness testing
• Pupil size measurement
• Dry eye evaluation
• Tests to analyze the shape of your cornea
• Measure the level of nearsightedness, farsightedness, or astigmatism
• Wavefront measurements
• Complete dilated eye exam to review retina

No matter what your lifestyle is The Palmer Eye Center will ensure that you have the most complete and proper eye exam possible. Our dedication to appropriate pre-operative examinations is critical for our excellent surgical track record. We enjoy being able to help the people of Northern Florida and Tallahassee, Florida see their life clearly. So if you are seeking LASIK in Florida please take the first step and complete our LASIK self-evaluation test. A surgical coordinator will contact you for a more thorough explanation of what you can expect during LASIK eye surgery. The Palmer Eye Center team is committed to providing you with honest answers regarding the safety and effectiveness of LASIK laser vision correction.

LASIK Expectations

Your decision to have LASIK laser vision correction is a serious decision. Ultimately, you will be the one to make the final decision. When selecting a LASIK surgeon it is important to select a surgeon that can honestly explain your visual needs. In 98% of LASIK cases, the visual outcome is 20/40 or better, however, this is a surgical procedure and risk is still involved. This is why selecting a surgeon with a LARGE amount of experience is important. The realistic goal of LASIK is to reduce your dependence on glasses and contact lenses. LASIK does not always generate 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 under his belt to ensure a safe and effective procedure. It is possible that this is one of the most important decisions that you will ever make. These are your eyes and your life.

LASIK questions to ask a surgeon during your pre-operative exam

1. How many LASIK procedures have you performed?
2. Explain your LASIK training
3. Have you had any bad LASIK cases?
4. Have any of your patients gone blind?
5. What can I expect for an outcome?
6. Is dry eye typically a problem for your cases?
7. Are you certified to be doing this LASIK surgery?
8. What is your educational background?

Asking the right LASIK questions is critical to selecting a surgeon. By using logic and asking these questions you should get a good feel for the surgeons you interview. Remember, it’s your life and your eyes. Making a sound choice for this medical procedure can certainly make you glasses-free for many years to come.