LASIK has become a household word that is recognized almost universally and over 30 million people have undergone LASIK surgery since the FDA approved the procedure in 1999. Over 700,000 American every year choose to correct their vision and transform their lives using this procedure. But how does LASIK Work? What might a patient expect when they decide to proceed with LASIK? The first step in the process is the LASIK Consultation with a Refractive Surgeon. Here’s what to expect.
LASIK Consultation
If you have nearsightedness, farsightedness or astigmatism, you may be a good candidate for laser vision correction. The first step is to seek out a consultation for LASIK with an Ophthalmologist that specializes in Laser Vision Correction Surgery. There are many out there so be sure to read the reviews and choose wisely. Selecting a LASIK surgeon based on price alone should be discouraged.
Everyone’s eyes are different, and so the goal of the LASIK Consultation is to determine the best option for each patient and create a customized treatment plan. The consultation is much more than a standard eye exam and involves a couple of critical steps.
General Health and Eye Health Assessment:
Is LASIK Right for You? The eye doctor will perform a health assessment to ensure that the following criteria are met. Good LASIK Qualifications include:
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- Be at least 18 years old
- Be in good general health
- Have no health issues affecting the eyes
- Have no active eye conditions that may affect healing
- Have a stable vision prescription for at least one year
- If you are pregnant or nursing, you should not consider LASIK at this time because your refractive error may fluctuate.
Comprehensive Eye Exam/ Wavefront Analysis:
In addition to a comprehensive eye exam, LASIK patients are submitted for a WaveFront Analysis that creates a customized map of each eye. This blue print is used by LASIK surgeons to custom design a patient’s vision correction. Wavefront technology measures the passage of light through the cornea and the crystalline lens. These are the refractive (light focusing) components of the eye. Distortions in the path of the light are measured precisely and these aberrations create a patient’s refractive errors. It is these refractive errors that surgeons are seeking to correct with LASIK. The refractive measurements produced by a Wavefront Analysis are much more accurate than those derived from a traditional phoropter.
Corneal Topography:
In addition to the precise refractive measurement established by the Wavefront Analysis, a measurement of the patient’s eye structure is taken. This includes the curvature of the cornea. The cornea, like the surface of the earth, is generally sphere shaped, however, there can be differences in elevation, like mountains and valleys. A Corneal Topography provides a map of the surface of your cornea similar to a geographical topographical map. The map is made up of thousands of measurements of the curvature of the cornea and the surface of the cornea and it is this map that will guide the lasers during the LASIK procedure.
Patient Education:
During the consultation, LASIK Surgeons will take time to explain the laser vision correction procedure. The possible risks and benefits will be reviewed with the patient and the exact cost of the LASIK procedure will also be discussed. Patients are encouraged to ask questions and voice potential concerns because the aim is to ensure that you are fully satisfied and comfortable before commencing.
SoCal Eye: LASIK Long Beach
All treatment begins with a LASIK Free Consultation with a SoCal Eye Eye Doctor or LASIK Surgeon in Long Beach. For LASIK Treatment in Long Beach, Schedule an Appointment today at LAKEWOOD (562) 531-2020 | LOS ALAMITOS (562) 598-7728 or send us an Online Consultation Request