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Evaluation and Diagnosis

Refractive Surgery Evaluation

Refractive surgery has been successfully performed on thousands of patients, but it's not for everyone. There are generally accepted medical criteria that make some patients better candidates than others. Ultimately, the doctor will determine if you are a suitable candidate. Some questions doctors consider:

• Are you over 18 years of age?
• Are you farsighted, nearsighted or have astigmatism?
• Has your prescription for corrective eyewear remained the same for at least two years?
• Do you have problems with dry eyes?
• Are you pregnant or nursing?
• Are you taking steroids or immunosuppressant medication?
• Do you suffer from autoimmune disorders?
• Have you had ocular herpes within the last year?
• Do you have any preexisting eye diseases, such as cataracts, glaucoma, corneal disease or other conditions that threaten your vision?
• Do you have a thorough understanding about the procedure and realistic expectations about the outcome?

In addition, there is extensive preoperative testing and evaluation that helps determine successful refractive surgery candidacy. Among other things, the doctor will:

• Take a medical history
• Determine the magnitude of visual error
• Screen for external and internal eye disease
• Map the shape of your cornea
• Measure your pupil size, the thickness of your cornea, intraocular pressure, etc.

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