Am I a LASIK Candidate?

What happens during a LASIK pre-operative eye exam?

Are you seeking a Louisville LASIK surgeon that can ensure a quality laser vision correction procedure? If so, Dr. Meyer or Dr. Pattar at The Eye Care Institute would like you to call us for more information. Our commitment to the community of Louisville and the patients of this area is simply unmatched by any of the other Louisville eye care centers. If you have been thinking about LASIK eye surgery please read the information below prior to selecting a Louisville LASIK surgeon.

Not everyone is a candidate for the LASIK procedure but there are many nearsighted, farsighted and astigmatic or people that could potentially be helped by laser vision correction. Determining your LASIK candidacy is the crucial next step on your journey for better vision. Dr. Meyer at The Eye Care Institute will provide only the most thorough diagnostic evaluation to make sure that you get the best LASIK pre-operative evaluation. If you are indeed a candidate for LASIK vision correction, the chances of success will be excellent. If you are not a candidate, Dr. Meyer or Dr. Pattar will explain the reasons and potentially suggest a different vision correction procedure if one applies to your specific visual case. The Eye Care Institute 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 exactly 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, Dr. Meyer or Dr. Pattar will be able to determine if you are a candidate.

Basic LASIK Candidacy Requirements

Determining if LASIK is right for you!

  • Must be over 21 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

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 Eye Care Institute 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 Louisville see their life clearly. So if you are seeking LASIK in Louisville 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 Eye Care Institute 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 electing 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 solid amount of LASIK experience is important. The realistic goal of LASIK is to reduce your dependence on glasses and contact lenses. 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. We have provided a list of questions below that you can use when interviewing local Louisville LASIK surgeons. Keep in mind, eye surgery is not an area you want to economize in.

LASIK Questions to Ask a Surgeon During Your Pre-operative Exam

What should I ask a LASIK surgeon?

  1. Based on my pre-operative LASIK exam, after LASIK, will I still occasionally need glasses or contact lenses?

  2. How many LASIK procedures have you performed in the past year?

  3. What is the difference between PRK and LASIK?

  4. What are my alternatives to LASIK?

  5. Can you explain your LASIK training?

  6. Have you had any bad LASIK cases?

  7. Have any of your patients gone blind?

  8. What is wavefront technology?

  9. Is dry eye typically a problem for your cases?

  10. Are you certified to be doing this LASIK surgery?

  11. Would you perform LASIK on your brother, sister, adult son or adult daughter?

What if I’m Not a LASIK Candidate?