Important Questions About LASIK

Questions about LASIK eye surgery? Please give our Mobile ophthalmology practice a call at 251-341-3385. We are personally driven by seeing our patients enjoy their results after surgery. Experienced eye doctor Chris Walton can first determine if you are a good candidate. If you are not, he will discuss other options for improving your vision.

Below are a few of the common questions we hear, but we know there are many more. We are happy to answer all of your questions and concerns so that you can decide which treatments are right for you.

Do I still need routine eye exams?

Yes, you should continue to see an eye doctor every 2 years for an exam. Although you won’t be going to get a new prescription like you did before, your eye exam is an important way for the eye doctor to look for signs of any eye problems, such as:

• Cataracts
• Glaucoma
• Eye-related refractive errors (presbyopia)
• Dry eye

Your LASIK results will be best preserved when you avoid these eye issues.

Is it possible to have LASIK while pregnant?

You should wait until your baby is born and you are no longer nursing. Medications prescribed after LASIK may not be good for your developing baby. Plus any stress you experience during the surgery may not be good for your baby.

One of the great things about LASIK is that it is completed in a single appointment, and you will be able to get back to your normal activities soon after. You should spend the day of surgery resting, but you should be feeling normal within a couple days.

What about LASIK for seniors?

You aren’t necessarily hemmed in by age when it comes to LASIK. The number one qualifier is whether your prescription is stable. Another important qualifier is that your eyes are free of disease. For example, cataracts are very common in older age. If you have cataracts, those will need to be removed, and the lens of the eye replaced with a premium implantable lens. But if you have generally healthy eyes and stable vision, then it’s not too late for LASIK.

Am I too young for LASIK?

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has approved LASIK for people who are at least 18. Dr. Walton performs LASIK only when the eyes have fully developed and the prescription is stable. Your eyes – and your vision as a result – will continue to change through college. For that reason, most patients benefit from the procedure in their mid-twenties and older. In very limited cases, a younger patient may be approved for LASIK for reasons related to flight school or a career path that doesn’t permit corrective lenses, or for other reasons.

Your LASIK Consultation

Want to find out if you are a good candidate? Please schedule an evaluation with Dr. Chris Walton by calling us at 251-341-3385. Our ophthalmology practice is located in Mobile, Alabama. We look forward to discussing your vision correction options with you.