Considering Lasik Surgery? Don't Look Any Further.

For those who were not born with perfect vision, LASIK surgery can seem like a dream come true. But how do you decide if LASIK is right for you and if you are even qualified for the procedure? Look no further. This article will tell you everything you need to know.

First, how do you know if you are a candidate for LASIK?

• You are at least 18 years old.
• You have had stable vision for one to two years.
• You have not had any eye infections or injuries in the past year.
• You do not have any autoimmune disorders.
• You are not pregnant or nursing.
• You have appropriate corneal thickness and pupil size. (These can be determined at a free eye exam at any LASIK office).

You can also take a short evaluation test here - http://www.seewithlasik.com/docs/lasik-candidate.html.

If you believe you meet the qualifications above, the next step is to schedule a free eye exam. There are hundreds of LASIK centers so it can be daunting to try and choose the right one. Start by calling your eye insurance to see if they have a preferred LASIK partner. Even if you think your eye insurance only covers glasses, you may be surprised to learn that they also offer 10-20% off LASIK with their preferred partner. At the very least, they can recommend a qualified center.

Depending on the center, the comprehensive eye exam should last about 90 minutes. They will take several tests including dilating your pupils. You should expect your eyes to be slightly blurry for a few hours after the exam. During the exam, feel free to ask as many questions about the office, procedure, and post-procedure care. Make sure you speak to the optometrist and that you feel completely comfortable with the office. At the end of the exam they will determine if you are a candidate for LASIK and discuss financing with you. Most quality office will be within the same price range. Remember, your eyesight is very important; now is not the time to find the cheapest bargain. However, it is appropriate to "shop around" a few office to make sure you feel like you have a great fit with the right doctor and price. Quality Lasik offices will also offer free lifetime "touch up" procedures if your vision starts to weaken. The only exception is when your vision decreases naturally as you age (usually after age 40) which is currently not correctable with laser surgery.

Often times, if you are not a candidate for LASIK, you can still be a candidate for PRK. PRK, also known as "photorefractive keratectomy" is the original form of laser eye surgery. PRK is just as safe and quick as LASIK, but often times the recover is longer. While patients that have undergone LASIK can normally see quite well the day after the treatment, PRK patients have to wait one or more weeks before their vision is restored. Although LASIK is the most popular LASIK surgery, some patient still opt for PRK. You should talk to your doctor about both procedures and decide together the best option for you.

Lastly, schedule your surgery. LASIK is a very quick procedure and will only take 5-15 minutes total. You should take off from work the day of your procedure, but can expect to return to work the next day if you choose.You will be able to see better immediately following the surgery and your vision will continue to improve over the next few days.

Overall, LASIK is a wonderful option for everyone suffering from less than perfect vision. It is also a relatively affordable option considering the lifetime cost of wearing contacts and glasses. Even if you are not certain you want the surgery, you should consider a free eye exam to learn more and hear your options.