Your Exam Day

During your exam day, you will undergo a very thorough, dilated eye examination. We will take measurements that are very specific to LASIK, such as a topography (map of your cornea). All this information is important in determining your customized surgical plan. If you have previously undiagnosed eye conditions, certain autoimmune diseases, unusually thin cornea, or unrealistic expectations, you may not be a good candidate for the LASIK procedure; but may still be a good candidate for other refractive procedures. Your doctor will go over those options with you and will answer any questions you may have.

Your doctor will conduct a thorough examination to determine whether your eyes are healthy and suitable for the procedure. Your eyes will then be photographed and a computerized map (corneal topography) will be created. This "map" will assess the shape of your cornea and is one of the many diagnostic tests the doctor uses to help plan your procedure.

Find Out if Laser Vision Correction is Right for You

Your eyecare professional can tell you if laser vision correction is right for you. Some guidelines are:

• You must have healthy eyes, and be at least 18 years old to undergo the procedure for nearsightedness. You must be 21 years of age or older for the farsightedness or astigmatism procedures.
• Your vision must be stable for at least 1 year before the laser procedure.
• You are not a good candidate if you have degenerative or autoimmune diseases, if you are pregnant or nursing, or if you have a condition that deters or slows healing.