Good candidates are at least 18 years of age, in good general health, and with no eye diseases such as cataracts or glaucoma. A screening with your South Coast Laser eye doctor is the best way to determine if you are a candidate and what your probable outcome may be. If you do not have an eye doctor who is trained in laser vision correction, your local South Coast Laser Eye Center will refer you to an experienced laser doctor in your area. South Coast Laser Eye Centers also offer complimentary consultations.

Good candidates should be free of eye diseases including keratoconus, glaucoma, cataracts and certain retinal and optic nerve diseases. Candidates should be free of certain eye viruses including herpes simplex and herpes zoster. Good candidates should also be free of certain health problems including uncontrolled diabetes, autoimmune or collagen vascular disease, and any medication or condition which renders the patient immunocompromised.

Patients should make their doctor aware of certain eye problems including amblyopia (lazy eye), strabismus (muscle imbalance), severe dry eyes, previous eye surgery or injury, or any recurrent, residual or active eye conditions which may affect healing. Other conditions that should be related to the doctor include keloid scarring with previous surgical healing, back problems, claustrophobia or other psychological problems, which may affect the surgery or recovery.

It is critical that a potential laser vision correction candidate has obtained a stable prescription for at least one year. Since hormones may affect the stability of your prescription, pregnant or nursing women are not eligible to pursue laser vision correction until two menstrual cycles after nursing has been discontinued. This is to make sure that the best results are achieved with the surgery, and to try to limit fluctuations in prescription that can occur with hormonal shifts.

If you'd like to talk with someone who has had laser vision correction with South Coast Laser, we'd be happy to put you in touch with patients who can describe their experience to you firsthand.

South Coast Laser Eye Centers offers FREE consultations to help determine if you're a good candidate for laser vision surgery (LASIK, Custom LASIK and Bladeless LASIK). Please call to make an appointment or to ask questions 714.957.0273