Healthcare: Eye Care (Ophthalmology & Optometry)

Are You a Good Candidate for Laser Surgery?

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Doctor and patient discuss laser vision correction
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If you are over 21 years old and have myopia (nearsightedness) or hyperopia (farsightedness) with or without astigmatism, you may be a candidate for laser vision correction. Laser eye surgery can reduce and potentially eliminate refractive errors in some patients. While results are good in most patients, no one can promise that you will be able to "throw away your glasses" after laser eye surgery. If, however, your goal is to reduce your dependency on glasses or contact lenses, then laser vision correction may be for you.

Prior to the procedure a Baylor Vision LASIK surgeon will examine your eyes to determine if you are a good candidate for the laser eye surgery. We take this screening process very seriously, since we believe that the appropriate selection of patients is critical to successful results. Baylor Vision physicians actually turn down up to one-third of patients who inquire about laser refractive surgery. It is important to remember that these procedures are not for everyone. For some patients, it may simply be wise to wait until technology becomes further advanced. Other patients may never be good candidates for these laser eye surgery procedures.

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LASIK Patient Screening Guidelines

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The American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery has developed screening guidelines for laser refractive surgery, and Dr. Koch was one of the five LASIK surgeons who developed these guidelines. These guidelines outline in detail the nature of the screening process and the factors that make one either an ideal, less than ideal, or poor candidate for surgery.