LASIK

If you're nearsighted, farsighted, or have astigmatism, LASIK may be able to provide you with clearer vision.

These conditions are caused by irregularities in the shape of your cornea, which is the clear front window of your eye. LASIK addresses these conditions by changing the shape of the cornea, correcting the irregularities.

What are myopia, hyperopia and astigmatism?

Myopia/Nearsightedness: When the curve of the cornea is too steep or the eyeball is too long, light rays do not focus properly on the retina (the back of the eye), causing distant objects to appear blurry.

Hyperopia/Farsightedness: In this condition, the cornea is too flat or the eyeball is too short, causing near objects to appear blurry or out of focus.

Astigmatism: An astigmatic individual’s cornea is unevenly curved. This uneven curvature can lead to blurriness, double vision or ghost images.

When LASIK reshapes the cornea, it causes the light to focus properly on the retina, leading to clearer vision. To see how LASIK reshapes the cornea, visit our LASIK: What To Expect page.

Who is a good candidate?

To consider LASIK, you must be at least 18 years old, in good general health and have good eye health. Prior to having surgery it is important that you receive a thorough pre-operative evaluation by an eye care provider.

The following tests are performed to help Moyes Eye Center determine if you are a candidate:

• Full dilated eye health examination
• Undilated and dilated prescription measurement
• Normal and dim light pupil measurements
• Orbscan II corneal thickness measurement and corneal mapping
• Dry eye evaluation

What is a free LASIK screening vs.

a full LASIK evaluation?

A free LASIK screening is a short screening examination that includes a basic prescription reading, corneal Orbscan topography and a short discussion with the doctor. At the end of this screening we will be able determine whether you are likely a candidate for LASIK or not. This screening is offered free of charge.

A full LASIK evaluation is a full examination with dilation, corneal Orbscan topography, zywave aberrometer measurements and a discussion with the doctor. At the end of this exam we will be able to determine if a patient is or isn’t a candidate. This full evaluation costs $150, which will be deducted from the full LASIK price if you choose to have surgery.

A full LASIK evaluation must be completed before you can have LASIK. If you are uncertain whether you are a candidate, you may want to schedule a free LASIK screening before committing to the full LASIK evaluation.

If you are very nearsighted and are not a LASIK candidate, we may still be able to help improve your vision with a Phakic lens.

What should I ask my doctor?

It’s very important to be sure that you are a good candidate. While it’s important to know how many procedures your surgeon has performed, it’s perhaps more important to ask how many patients your surgeon turns away. Moyes Eye Center is conservative and will not recommend LASIK for those it does not feel are good candidates—this is why we perform such thorough pre-operative examinations. The majority of people who want LASIK are candidates, but you should be prepared for the possibility that you may fall into the 5-10% of patients we turn away.

See if you’re a candidate. Call 816.746.9800 to schedule a free LASIK consultation.

Click here for information on LASIK financing.

Click here to visit the American Academy of Ophthalmology's Eye Smart website for more information on LASIK.