Have you recently scheduled a consultation with your eye doctor to determine if you are a candidate for laser eye surgery? You are likely already compiling notes and questions to take with you to your first appointment. We have some primary questions that should definitely be included on your list.

Is my refractive error within the appropriate range for laser vision correction?
As a patient in need of vision correction, you likely suffer from one of a number of refractive errors. A refractive error is the name for a vision problem caused when the shape of your eye keeps you from being able to focus well. Two common refractive errors are myopia (nearsightedness), where you can see objects close to you clearly, but far away objects look blurry, and hyperopia (farsightedness), where you can see objects in the distance clearly, but have difficulty bringing nearby objects into focus. It is important to ask your eye doctor whether your refractive error falls into the appropriate range for LASIK surgery. Some individuals who have a very severe refractive error are advised against LASIK, as a separate form of vision correction surgery may be the better option.

Is my vision stable?
To be a good candidate for LASIK, your eye prescription must be stable for 12 months, at minimum, before undergoing laser eye surgery. This is the primary reason why teenagers and young adults are advised to wait before LASIK—in many cases, their eyeglass or contact lens prescription is still changing from year to year. A LASIK eye surgeon wants to see stability in your vision before performing the surgery, and your eye doctor can best explain whether your vision prescription is stable.

Are my current lifestyle choices conducive to LASIK?
This is an important question, particularly if you are pregnant or if you are currently nursing. Hormonal changes during pregnancy can affect the shape of your cornea, which causes temporary vision changes. Also, some of the medications, including steroids and antibiotics, typically prescribed to a LASIK patient before or after the surgery may not be advised during pregnancy or while nursing.

If you have questions or concerns about LASIK surgery, feel free to contact the team at LASIK Vision Centers of Cleveland. You can use our online scheduling system to make your appointment for an initial consultation.