Before you can safely undergo LASIK vision correction surgery, your eyes need to be examined by a qualified LASIK professional. This exam helps your doctor determine whether or not LASIK surgery is the right vision correction procedure for you.
During an eye exam for LASIK in San Clemente, your doctor will analyze the current state of the patient’s vision, check for irregularities in the eye and evaluate the patient’s candidacy for LASIK surgery using several tests, including:
Corneal Topography Test – One of the first tests that are part of the LASIK eye exam is corneal topography which measures the shape of the corneas. Your doctor uses this test to “map” the cornea to gain a full understanding of the patient’s eye. This tool can identify any irregularities that may exclude a patient from undergoing LASIK. In addition, the data collected during this test will be used to guide the excimer laser used to reshape the cornea during the LASIK surgery.
Pachymetry Test – Like the corneal topography test, the pachymetry test is used to gather information about the cornea which will determine a patient’s eligibility for LASIK. This test specifically measures the thickness of the cornea. LASIK candidates will need a certain amount of corneal thickness to be reshaped during the procedure.
Tear Analysis – Your doctor will perform tear analysis, measuring tear production and quality during the pre-LASIK eye exam. In many cases, patients who suffer from dry eye syndrome – a condition in which the eyes do not produce enough tears – experience an increase in the condition as a side effect following LASIK surgery. By analyzing the tears before LASIK, the condition can be identified and treated prior to surgery to ensure quick, complication-free healing.
Medical History – During the eye exam for LASIK, it is important for patients to be candid about their medical history including past vision problems, current medications and diseases such as diabetes. Individuals who have previously suffered eye infections or trauma to the eye may require special accommodations in order for the LASIK procedure to be successful. During this evaluation, patients are encouraged to ask questions about their candidacy for LASIK surgery, as well as bring up any concerns they might have about the procedure.
If you’d like to schedule an eye exam for LASIK, contact Harvard Eye Associates today by calling 949-951-2020 or visiting harvardeye.com.
