LASIK has helped millions of men and women see clearly without the aid of eyeglasses and contact lenses. Indeed, most patients who have undergone LASIK at our Chicago laser eye surgery center, Chicago Cornea Consultants™, Ltd., have been able to achieve 20/20 or better vision and completely eliminate their need for eyeglasses and contact lenses altogether. If you are suffering from the visual errors astigmatism, hyperopia (farsightedness), or myopia (nearsightedness) you may benefit from LASIK. If you are fed up with not being able to see clearly without the aid of eyeglasses or contact lenses, you may be an ideal candidate for LASIK.
Pre-operative LASIK Evaluation
The first step in determining if you are an ideal candidate for LASIK is undergoing a pre-operative evaluation. Your eyesight is incredibly important to you and to us. By performing a pre-operative evaluation, we can determine that you are a good candidate for LASIK surgery, which will help ensure optimal results. During this evaluation we will discuss your family history, your medical history, any medications you are currently taking, any past surgeries you may have had, as well as your goals. We will also perform a comprehensive eye exam. During this exam, we will measure your pupils and determine the strength and thickness of your corneas. These measurements play a vital role in your candidacy for surgery.
LASIK Candidates
What makes a patient a good candidate for LASIK? Ideally, Chicago LASIK candidates are those who:
- Are in good health
- Have had a stable eye prescription for at least one year
- Are over the age of 18
- Have realistic expectations (this is especially important, as not all patients will be able to achieve clear vision all of the time without the assistance of eyeglasses or contact lenses)
- Are affected by astigmatism, hyperopia, or myopia
- Have corneas that are not too thin
- Have corneas that are not too weak
- Have pupils that are not too large
- Have eyes that are free from infections or diseases
- Are not pregnant and will not become pregnant in the near future
- Are not currently nursing
While many patients will qualify for LASIK surgery, not all will. LASIK may not be a suitable option for patients with one or more of these conditions:
- Dry eyes: Because the symptoms of dry eye may worsen after undergoing LASIK, patients with this chronic condition are often not ideal candidates for the procedure.
Abnormal corneal curvature: An abnormal curvature of the cornea may be a sign that the cornea is weaker than it should be. Patients with weakened corneas are not ideal candidates for the LASIK procedure. - Thin corneas: Corneas that are thin are at an increased risk for excessive corneal weakening after LASIK surgery. Because of this, patients with thin corneas are often not ideal candidates for LASIK.
- Large pupils: Patients with large pupils may experience more side effects after undergoing LASIK than patients who do not have large pupils. Because of this, patients with large pupils may not be ideal candidates for LASIK.
Schedule a Pre-operative Evaluation Today
If you are tired of having to rely on eyeglasses or contact lenses to see clearly, you may benefit from LASIK. To find out more about the LASIK procedure, or to schedule a pre-operative evaluation, please contact Chicago Cornea Consultants™, Ltd., today.
