LASIK Surgery Explained
You will need to choose a LASIK surgeon and have a thorough LASIK surgery evaluation to determine if you are a good candidate for LASIK surgery. As part of the LASIK surgery exam, you will fill out forms and answer questions related to any health problems you may have. Certain health issues, such as chronically dry eyes, can disqualify you from being a candidate for LASIK surgery and other laser eye procedures.
LASIK surgery is considered an elective surgery so most insurance plans do not cover the procedure. You should check with your plan administrator and consider how you intend to pay for the LASIK surgery in advance.
During the evaluation the doctor will evaluate the health of your eye’s external surface, where the laser treatment will take place. Your doctor will also examine your internal eye regions including the the retina for any possible problems which may arise by dilating you pupil. Then, the LASIK doctor will evaluate your eye prescription(s) determine the correct amount of vision correction needed and discuss any potential risks for your LASIK surgery.
In most cases, a corneal topographer will be used to map out the shape of the cornea. The topographer will show any shape irregularities that must be treated during the LASIK surgery. Once this is completed the doctor will usually go over the surgical informed consent form and then schedule the LASIK surgery.
LASIK surgery is painless and the entire LASIK procedure will take about 15-20 minutes. The laser itself will actually only be used for less than a minute and before the procedure the doctor will give you anesthetic eye drops so you don’t feel the procedure.
