Who is a Good Candidate for LASIK?

LASIK Surgery: Is it Right For You?

Are you tired of the daily hassle of glasses and contact lenses? Do you dream of waking up with clear, sharp vision? For millions, LASIK surgery has turned that dream into a reality. Modern LASIK is a two-step, dual-laser procedure: a femtosecond laser first creates a paper-thin corneal flap; an excimer laser then reshapes the exposed stromal bed with sub-micron precision to correct the refractive error. For residents of North Jersey and the greater New York City area, the path to visual freedom begins at Westwood Ophthalmology Associates. For over 48 years, our practice has been the trusted choice for families and even local doctors. Our world-class, fellowship-trained LASIK surgeons, Dr. Patrick K. Chin and Dr. Jung S. Lee, combine decades of specialized experience with a patient-first approach to deliver the exceptional results you deserve.

Who is a Good Candidate for LASIK?

Determining if you are a suitable candidate for LASIK is the most important first step in your journey toward clearer vision. A comprehensive eye evaluation is essential to ensure the procedure is both safe and effective for your unique eyes. Our team, led by renowned specialists Dr. Chin and Dr. Lee, conducts a thorough assessment to review your eye health, vision stability, and expectations. We believe in educating our patients, ensuring you have a complete understanding of the process before making any decisions. This commitment to personalized care is why so many families in Westwood, Ridgewood, and across Bergen County trust us with their sight.

Key Candidacy Requirements

To be considered an ideal candidate for LASIK, you should generally meet several key criteria. Firstly, you must be at least 18 years old, as vision can continue to change into early adulthood. A stable prescription for at least one to two years is crucial, indicating that your eyes have matured and the results of the surgery will be long-lasting. Your general health is also important; candidates should not have any uncontrolled autoimmune diseases that could affect healing. At Westwood Ophthalmology Associates, we perform an in-depth analysis of your ocular health, ensuring you do not have ocular problems that would jeopardize safety or outcomes, such as severe, uncontrolled dry-eye disease or progressive corneal ectasia. Early cataracts or well-controlled glaucoma are relative (not absolute) contra-indications and can be considered on a case-by-case basis. We proudly serve patients from Paramus to Fair Lawn and throughout the greater NYC area, providing the highest standard of evaluation and care.

Corneal Thickness and Health

The thickness and health of your cornea are among the most critical factors for LASIK candidacy. The procedure involves creating a thin flap in the cornea and then using an excimer laser to reshape the underlying corneal tissue. Therefore, your corneas must be sufficiently thick to allow for this reshaping without compromising their structural integrity. During your consultation at our Westwood, NJ office, we use advanced diagnostic technology to precisely map the topography and measure the thickness of your corneas. This detailed imaging helps Dr. Lee and Dr. Chin determine if you have ample tissue for a safe and effective procedure. If your corneas are too thin, we may recommend alternative vision correction procedures that could provide a better outcome for you.

Common Refractive Errors That LASIK Corrects

LASIK is exceptionally effective at correcting the most common refractive errors that cause people to depend on glasses or contacts. These conditions occur when the shape of your eye prevents light from focusing correctly on the retina. Our surgeons specialize in correcting Myopia (nearsightedness), where distant objects appear blurry; Hyperopia (farsightedness), in which the eye is too short or the cornea too flat, making near objects blurry in younger patients and causing both near- and distance-blur as natural focusing ability diminishes with age; and Astigmatism, which is caused by an irregularly shaped cornea and results in distorted vision at all distances. Dr. Chin and Dr. Lee, with their advanced fellowship training in refractive surgery, have honed their skills to correct these issues with incredible precision, helping patients from Hillsdale to Dumont achieve the crisp, clear vision they’ve always wanted.

Your Vision in the Hands of The Experts

 

Unmatched Fellowship Training

Dr. Chin and Dr. Lee have both completed prestigious fellowships in refractive and corneal surgery at world-renowned institutions (Gimbel Eye Centre and Wilmer Eye Institute at Johns Hopkins). This is the highest level of training possible, focused entirely on procedures like LASIK.

The Trust of Academic Institutions

As former and current professors at NYU and Rutgers, our surgeons are trusted to teach the next generation of ophthalmologists advanced surgical techniques. This is a testament to their mastery and leadership in the field.

Decades of Local Trust

For over 48 years, our practice has been a pillar of the North Jersey community. Generations of families and local doctors from Bergenfield to Ridgewood and across the greater NYC area trust us with their eye care.

Commitment to Cutting-Edge Care

We stay at the forefront of the latest developments and technology to ensure you receive the safest, most precise, and most effective treatment available.

Schedule Your LASIK Consultation in North Jersey

Your journey to a life free from glasses and contacts starts with a conversation. We invite you to schedule a personal, one-on-one consultation with Dr. Lee or Dr. Chin. This is your dedicated opportunity to learn if LASIK is right for you, have all your questions answered by a leading specialist, and understand the incredible possibilities of clear vision.

We proudly serve patients from our office in Westwood, NJ, across North Jersey (Bergen, Morris, and Passaic Counties) and the greater NYC metropolitan area.