Among the most important considerations in any medical procedure are what are called "contraindications" - conditions that would make you a poor candidate for the procedure. For LASIK surgery, you should be a minimum of 18 years old (even 21 for some lasers), since the eyes and the vision of people under 18 are still developing. In addition, you should not be pregnant or nursing.

After checking your overall condition, you can also expect the doctor and his staff to review other, specific criteria before operating. They need to know what prescription drugs you take, confirm that your eyes are generally healthy, establish that your prescription is stable and ensure that you are in good overall health.

You can then expect to discuss all the known risks and benefits of the LASIK procedure with your eye doctor. The procedure may not be recommended for certain patients with diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, glaucoma, herpes infections of the eye or cataracts. You will discuss every prior and existing medical condition with your surgical team and, if your doctor doesn't think the LASIK procedure is best for you, you can always get a second opinion.

Preparing for LASIK Surgery

As with any procedure, you will sign an "informed consent form" after going over the risks, benefits and available alternatives. Of course, you will also have to hear about any possible complications and risks associated with the recovery period as well.

You may need to stop wearing your contact lenses for a certain amount of time before the surgery. Contacts can temporarily and unpredictably change the cornea (eyeball) shape, and it is essential that your cornea be in its natural shape for the surgery. For both male and female patients, your doctor may also ask you to go without makeup and perfume for several days before the operation. Certain ingredients in these products can possibly interfere with the laser or increase the risks of post-operative infection.

The LASIK operation is done as an outpatient surgical procedure for which the only anesthetic is an eye drop that numbs the surface. The surgery usually takes 15 minutes or so for each eye, but surgeons commonly wait to check the results of the first eye procedure before moving on to do the second one. If you want to know more precisely what happens in this kind of eye surgery,DocShop.com has thorough and completely up-to-date information for you.

LASIK Surgery Recovery Expectations

Although healing is relatively speedy, you will want to arrange a few days off following your surgery. You can expect to experience a mild burning or similar sensation for several hours after surgery, but do not rub your eye(s). If you need it, your doctor can prescribe a mild painkiller to lessen the itching or discomfort. Also, you will be counseled not to drive until your vision has improved and to forgo swimming pools and hot tubs for 10-14 days after eye surgery.

Your vision will most likely be at least somewhat blurry after the surgery, but it will improve dramatically by the time you return for a follow-up exam in a day or two. Most patients will return to normal activity levels within the week. When calculating your LASIK surgery costs, remember to figure in your "prep" time, recovery time, and your doctor visits. Luckily, since it is an outpatient procedure and patients usually recover rapidly the cost stays very manageable.