Choose the Treatment That’s Right for YouLASIK Candidate Smithtown

LASIK surgery can dramatically improve a person’s vision, which is why it is the most popular laser vision correction procedure available, with more than 700,000 surgeries performed each year in the United States. The physicians at North Shore Eye Care understand how important clear vision is to a person’s quality of life, so they utilize only the most advanced technology and treatment techniques to ensure the best possible results for their patients.

Still, LASIK surgery is not a suitable treatment option for all patients. They can determine whether you are a good LASIK candidate during a comprehensive consultation at North Shore Eye Care’s Riverhead or Smithtown, Long Island practice location. This initial consultation is the first step toward improved vision, and can help you fully understand your treatment options.

To find out whether you are a LASIK candidate, contact us to schedule a consultation at our Long Island-area practice.

Requirements of a LASIK Candidate

Advances in laser technology have made LASIK surgery a viable option for an increasing number of individuals who suffer from vision problems, including those who were previously deemed ineligible for the procedure. Today, LASIK surgery can be used to correct higher-order aberrations in addition to hyperopia, myopia, and astigmatism. However, not all patients who suffer from these vision problems are ideal LASIK candidates. Good candidates for LASIK surgery must:

  • Be at least 18 years old. It is important that a candidate be at least 18 years old and that he or she has had the same eyeglass or contact prescription for at least one year. This is to ensure that the patient’s vision is relatively stable, which will guarantee the accuracy of corneal mapping.
  • Have appropriate corneal thickness. During traditional LASIK surgery, surgeons make an incision in the cornea to create a flap through which the underlying tissues of the eye are accessed. For individuals with especially thin corneas, this stage of the procedure can be problematic. During an initial consultation, our physicians will perform a corneal topography test and a pachymetry test to determine the shape and thickness of your cornea. These tests will help to determine whether you are an ideal LASIK candidate. For those individuals who are not candidates for LASIK at our Long Island practice, our surgeons may recommend an alternative treatment option, such as iLASIK.
  • Not have suffered a recent injury to or infection of the eye. It is important to disclose any past infections of or injuries to the eye before undergoing the LASIK procedure. These conditions can affect the results of surgery and lead to complications during the procedure. In addition, LASIK surgery may lead to a resurgence of a previous infection, if not properly addressed.

Patients who are pregnant or nursing, as well as those who suffer from conditions such as dry eye, advanced glaucoma, or cataracts, may not be eligible to undergo LASIK surgery. It is important for patients to disclose any serious health conditions such as diabetes or auto-immune disorders, as these may affect their candidacy.

The best way to determine whether LASIK surgery is right for you is to schedule a comprehensive consultation at our Long Island-area practice. Our physicians are experts in laser vision correction and can offer an individualized perspective on whether you will benefit from LASIK surgery.

Who Is an Ideal LASIK Candidate?

In addition to meeting various health criteria, the ideal candidate for LASIK surgery is an informed patient who fully understands the risks and benefits associated with the procedure and has realistic expectations of the possible results. The experienced physicians and staff at North Shore Eye Care work with patients to address their questions and concerns, as well as determine whether LASIK surgery will most likely satisfy their personal goals. A good LASIK candidate should also be able to commit to follow-up appointments at our Riverhead or Smithtown, Long Island office to ensure proper healing and sustained results from the procedure.

Find Out Whether You Are a LASIK Candidate

If you suffer from vision problems and feel held back by eyeglasses or contacts, you owe it to yourself to find out whether you are a LASIK candidate. Contact the experienced eye surgeons at our Riverhead or Smithtown location to schedule your initial consultation today.