Clear Vision is More Than 20/20: 10 Questions For Better Vision Quality

Eye testing chart and help with vision quality

People seeking LASIK as a vision correction option tend to focus on the potential for clear vision and vision quality: 20/20 being the goal. It is understandable, particularly for those who rely on glasses and contacts to navigate through life. However, if you think about it, there is more to your eyesight than correcting the nearsightedness, farsightedness and astigmatism needed to get to 20/20 vision.

LASIK corrects the vision prescription you have when you go into surgery. Before surgery, you will have several diagnostic tests that will help measure your vision quality – “normal” vision is 20/20 – as well as establish the health of your eye. Once your eye surgeon tells you you’re a candidate for LASIK, it’s time to work out a treatment plan that takes into account both your vision correction and your vision quality.

How do you do this? By carefully detailing your existing visual experience, your current vision correction routine and frustrations and your eye health history. Coming to your LASIK consult prepared with the answers to these 10 questions will help you have a thorough and productive conversation with your LASIK surgeon:

1. What do you rely on your current form of vision correction for the most?
2. What bothers you about your current form of vision correction?
3. If you wear contacts, have you ever had an infection? How often?
4. If you wear glasses, do you have issues with your peripheral vision?
5. When was the last time your vision prescription changed?
6. Do you have dry eye? If so, how often?
7. Do you have increased sensitivity to glare? Indoors and outdoors?
8. Do you see haloes or starbursts around headlights, street lamps or other light sources?
9. Do you have issues driving (or seeing) at night? Can you describe them?
10. What are you most looking forward to, in terms of your vision, after you have LASIK?

By being prepared to discuss all of the aspects of your vision that are important to you with your surgeon, you become a much more informed and active partner in the pursuit of your vision goals and vision quality with LASIK.

Published August 30, 2016
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