In case you decided to have the LASIK surgery, you must find out if you are a LASIK candidate during a visit to an ophthalmologist. Your visit will have two stages:

1. Eye examination.

The examination is painless and it's needed so that the doctor could give you the correct diagnosis. Based on the result of the appointment you will decide if the results of the surgery will satisfy you and if you want to continue. Stop wearing contact lenses for at least 4 weeks prior to the examinations as they change the shape of the cornea and the surgeon will not be able to correctly map your eye.

2. Correction surgery

The eye is prepared for the intervention with anesthetic eye drops. The painless surgery doesn't take longer than 5-10 minutes. The surgeon only supervises the actions of the computer. You will leave the clinic as soon as the intervention is complete. You will return for checkups that will last a few minutes.

Are You A Good Candidate?

Is your answer YES to the following questions?

* Are you at least 18?

* Are your eyes healthy? They don't have corneal scars or eye diseases.

* Is your myopia mild to moderate?

* Do you know the risks and the benefits of the intervention?

* Can you pay for the surgery? This type of intervention is not usually covered by the health insurance.

Then you are a good candidate for a correction surgery. Please contact the closest medical unit to get further information about the locations where the intervention can be done, the costs and the specialists.

Is the Surgery A Risk to Me?

You are NOT a good candidate for the surgery if:

* you do not like taking risks.

* you cannot afford the surgery.

* your situation raises additional risks (you are under 20 or over 65, you are a pregnant woman or you are breastfeeding).

* you are a minor. This type of surgery is not approved for people under 18.

* you participate in action sports (boxing, martial arts etc.).

If the ophthalmologist considered you to be a good candidate, talk to your doctor about his experience with LASIK surgery. The complications and the results vary among surgeons and you want to get the best results based on his experience. 1 On the whole, you must be realistic regarding the results of the surgery. In most cases, the surgery will not eliminate the need for but will only diminish considerably your contact lenses usage.

Resources:

1. Vidaurri-Leal, JS. Complications in 5000 LASIK procedures. Refractive Surgery 1998 Reshaping the Future, a publication of American Academy of Ophthalmology Subspecialty Day 1998 - Refractive Surgery; 61-64