10 Questions to Ask Your Eye Doctor about LASIK

Making the choice of whether you’ll get LASIK eye surgery in Dallas and where you’ll decide to go is extremely important. And asking your eye doctor the right questions at your free consultation can ensure a surgery that is well worth the time and money.

Here are 10 questions to ask your doctor during your appointment to get all the information you need:

1. How should I prepare for my free LASIK consultation?

Preferably, you should refrain from wearing your soft contact lenses at least 3 days before your consultation to obtain the best results. If you wear hard contact lenses, it would be best to remain out of your contact lenses for 3 weeks prior to your consultation. Also, it would be beneficial to bring your current glasses prescription and any prior prescriptions if you have them.

2. Does my general health make me a candidate for LASIK?

Not everyone is a candidate for LASIK eye surgery in Dallas, so make sure you qualify by sharing your medical history with your eye doctor. They will also examine your eyes to make sure they are in good health and don’t have any factors that could mean LASIK might not be right for you, like thin corneas, dry eye syndrome, injury or infection.

3. Am I the right age for laser eye surgery?

Technically, the minimum age for LASIK surgery is 18. However, it is recommended to wait until the eyes have stabilized – typically around 25 or when your prescription has been stable for at least 3 years. There is no upper age limit, but your eye doctor will determine whether you are still a good candidate on a case-by-case basis as different options are often better for patients over the age of 50.

4. What results can I expect from LASIK?

LASIK results vary for everyone based on their pre-surgical prescription and eye health. Fortunately, there’s a good chance you will achieve 20/20 vision with LASIK, as most      people do. Your eye doctor will be able to give you realistic expectations for your surgery at your free consultation.

5. Are there any risks or side effects associated with LASIK & how long will they last?

As with any surgery, there are some risks and side effects associated with LASIK surgery. Generally, the chance of complications, like infection and flap dislodgement, are extremely low (less than 1%). More commonly, you may experience side effects, such as glare and halos, dry eye, or problems with night vision. These side effects typically resolve as your eyes heal.

6. Should I stop taking certain medications before LASIK eye surgery?

Give your eye doctor a list of your current medications to make sure you don’t need to halt any before your surgery. However, most likely you will not need to stop any of your medications.     You may even need to stop your contact routine 5-10 days before your procedure.

7. What is the LASIK recovery process like?

The immediate LASIK recovery process is relatively quick, lasting a few days. Generally, the full healing process can take anywhere from 3 to 6 months.

After going home to rest for the remainder of your surgery day, you will visit your eye doctor for a post-op appointment the next day. Most patients can resume activities, like working and driving, as soon as the day after LASIK. Despite this, they must avoid rubbing their eyes for 2 weeks after the procedure and should avoid strenuous activity for 1 week.

8. Is LASIK permanent?

LASIK is a long-term solution for the refractive errors present at the time of your surgery. Keep in mind that as your eyes continue to age, you may need enhancement surgery. In the case that your results are not as crisp as desired after your initial surgery, your eye doctor may suggest a follow-up procedure later.

9. How much is LASIK eye surgery in Dallas?

Your eye doctor will give you a personal quote during your free consultation. Your total costs will include the surgery, follow-up appointments, and an enhancement surgery (if necessary). We also offer payment plans starting as little as $99 a month to make the procedure more affordable.

10. Are there any alternatives to LASIK?

If it turns out that you are not an ideal candidate for LASIK surgery, then your next step is exploring an appropriate alternative eye surgery, like PRK or Visian ICL.

These 10 questions are just a starting point when discussing LASIK eye surgery in Dallas. Your eye doctor should be able to offer a wealth of information that will make you feel confident in your decision. At Kleiman Evangelista Eye Centers of Texas, we provide everything you need for cataract and LASIK eye surgery in Texas, so you don’t have to look any further!