ASK THE ( EYE) EXPERTS

I’ve been told I’m not a LASIK candidate in the past, but I really want it. Should I come back in for another consultation?

A (Dr. Jennifer Melton):

Absolutely. Many people have been told they are not good candidates for LASIK surgery in the past; however, in reality, estimates suggest 98 percent of people who wear glasses or contacts are now eligible for Blade-Free LASIK. Laser technology has improved dramatically in recent years. For example, early technologies were unable to treat astigmatism, a refractive error characterized by an irregular curve of the cornea. Newer technologies, such as the Wave Light Laser Suite used by Mann Eye Institute, have changed the game for these patients, and LASIK is now an option for most patients with astigmatism. Some patients also may have been told they were not suitable candidates for LASIK due to insufficient corneal thickness, but with the advancement of bladeless systems, many patients with thinner corneas are now eligible for the procedure. Other patients may have been told LASIK was only an option to improve distance vision in nearsighted patients, but new procedures can help patients with farsightedness improve their vision upclose as well. If you have been told you weren’t an ideal candidate for LASIK in the past, we suggest scheduling a free consultation at any of our Houston-area locations. Jennifer Melton, MD is Board Certified by the American Board of Ophthalmology and is a member of the American Academy of Ophthalmology, the Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology, the Texas Ophthalmology Society and the American College of Physicians. She specializes in the treatment of corneal disease, Blade-Free LASIK and cataract surgery.