What Happens During a LASIK Consultation?
Laser eye surgery and LASIK surgery can help glasses and contact lens wearers enjoy clearer vision without relying on corrective lenses.
While most people who undergo LASIK eye surgery are able to give up their glasses, not everyone will have the same results. Undergoing a thorough consultation before surgery is one of the best ways to determine whether LASIK is right for you.
If you’re ready to start the consultation process for LASIK surgery, the eye doctors of GW Eye Associates can help. Before your consultation, let’s take a moment to discuss what happens during LASIK consultations for patients in La Jolla, CA, Carmel Valley, CA, and San Diego, CA.
About LASIK Surgery
LASIK, which stands for laser-assisted in situ keratomileusis, is an eye surgery used to correct certain refraction errors, including nearsightedness (myopia), farsightedness (hyperopia), and astigmatism.
During LASIK surgery, the shape of the cornea is adjusted with a special laser to improve the eye’s focus and make vision clearer. Once the shape of the cornea is corrected, many LASIK patients are able to stop wearing glasses or contact lenses.
The LASIK Consultation Process
Before undergoing LASIK surgery, patients must go through a consultation process to evaluate their vision problems, eye health, and overall health. Consultations are important to determine whether LASIK is an appropriate treatment for each patient’s specific vision needs.
With this in mind, let’s take a closer look at what to expect during the consultation process.
Discussion of Medical History and Candidacy
One of the first things discussed during a consultation for LASIK surgery is a patient’s medical history, including any known eye conditions or previous eye surgeries, to help determine candidacy.
Medical histories are important because certain medical conditions can put patients at risk for poor outcomes and complications following LASIK surgery.
LASIK surgery may not be recommended for patients who have certain health conditions like rheumatoid arthritis, a weakened immune system, glaucoma, and cornea disorders. Ideal candidates should be in relatively good general health and have healthy eyes.
Undergo a Comprehensive Eye Exam
Another important part of the LASIK consultation process is undergoing a comprehensive eye exam. This exam must be thorough to fully assess the eyes for any signs of infection, inflammation, or other eye conditions like dry eyes, glaucoma, or cataracts.
During the comprehensive exam, the eyes may be dilated and digital images of the inside of the eye may be taken to assess the retina. The surface of the eye may also be evaluated to determine whether the tear film coating the cornea is sufficient.
Cornea Evaluation
In addition to checking the general health of the eyes, the corneas will be evaluated to note their shape and thickness.
Evaluating the cornea is important to determine how it should be reshaped and how much tissue should be removed to improve vision.
Discussion of the Procedure
Finally, during a LASIK surgery consultation, the LASIK procedure is explained. This may include a discussion about the possible risks of surgery as well as the benefits.
Patients can also use this time to ask questions about the procedure and what type of results they can expect.
Contact GW Eye Associates
At GW Eye Associates, our doctors offer refractive surgery consultations to help you find the right treatment for your vision needs. If you are interested in learning more about LASIK surgery, we welcome you to request a consultation.