Arlington, IL LASIK Screening

A LASIK screening is a comprehensive evaluation that determines whether you are a good candidate for LASIK vision correction surgery. During the screening, your eye doctor evaluates your prescription, corneal health, medical history, and overall eye health to determine the safest and most effective treatment option.

A LASIK screening at Northwest Eye Physicians typically takes about 20 minutes, making it a convenient first step for patients considering laser vision correction.

During your screening, your eye care team will typically:

• Measure your glasses or contact lens prescription
• Perform corneal topography (mapping the surface of your cornea)
• Measure corneal thickness
• Review your eye and medical history
• Explain how LASIK surgery is performed
• Discuss whether you're a potential candidate for LASIK

At Northwest Eye Physicians, you do not need to remove your contact lenses before your LASIK screening appointment. Your doctor will let you know if additional testing requires you to discontinue contact lens wear before surgery.

You may be a good candidate if you:

• Are at least 18 years old
• Have a stable vision prescription
• Have healthy eyes and corneas
• Do not have certain eye diseases
• Have realistic expectations about surgery

Your screening will determine whether LASIK is the safest option for your vision.

Some patients may not be good LASIK candidates because of:

• Thin corneas
• Abnormal corneal curvature
• Large pupils
• Unstable vision
• Certain eye diseases
• Certain medical conditions that affect healing

If LASIK isn't appropriate, your ophthalmologist may recommend another vision correction procedure.

LASIK permanently reshapes the cornea. Your surgeon measures corneal thickness to ensure there is enough healthy tissue for the procedure to be performed safely while maintaining the structural integrity of the eye.

Corneal topography is a painless imaging test that creates a detailed map of the surface of your cornea. It helps identify irregularities, measures corneal shape, and assists your surgeon in determining whether LASIK is appropriate for your eyes.

In many cases, your ophthalmologist can discuss your candidacy during or shortly after your screening. If additional testing is needed, your doctor will explain the next steps before recommending surgery.

Not everyone qualifies for LASIK, but that doesn't necessarily mean you're out of options. Depending on your eye health and prescription, your ophthalmologist may recommend another refractive procedure, such as PRK or another vision correction treatment.

No. A LASIK screening is completely non-invasive and painless. Most of the evaluation involves measurements, imaging, and a comprehensive eye examination.

It's helpful to bring:

• Your current glasses
• Your contact lens prescription (if applicable)
• A list of medications
• Your medical history
• Questions about LASIK and your vision goals

This information helps your doctor provide the most accurate recommendation.

Most patients require very little preparation. Be prepared to discuss your vision history, any previous eye procedures, your current medications, and your lifestyle goals. Your ophthalmologist will explain any additional steps if further testing is necessary.

Coverage depends on your insurance plan. While LASIK surgery itself is usually considered elective, some plans may cover portions of the evaluation. Your care team can help explain your benefits before your appointment.

Northwest Eye Physicians has been providing advanced ophthalmic care to the northwest Chicago suburbs for more than 40 years. Their experienced ophthalmologists perform comprehensive LASIK screenings using advanced diagnostic technology, including corneal topography and corneal thickness measurements, to determine whether laser vision correction is safe and appropriate for each patient.