Updated: November 07, 2025
If you’re considering LASIK eye surgery, scheduling a consultation is a crucial step in your journey to gain visual freedom. The consultation process determines whether you’re a good candidate for laser vision correction and provides a clear picture of what your results might look like.
This appointment typically takes 90 to 120 minutes and involves a series of specialized tests that map your eyes in detail. You’ll meet with experienced refractive surgery specialists who have performed thousands of LASIK procedures.
Keep reading to learn exactly what happens during your LASIK consultation and how to prepare for this important appointment!
The LASIK consultation appointment involves various discussions, tests, and measurements to determine if you’re a candidate for LASIK. This appointment is a very thorough evaluation of your vision goals and eye health to ensure that LASIK will be a safe and effective procedure for you. Here’s what you can expect to happen during your appointment:
Your consultation begins with a detailed review of your eye history and overall health. The team will ask about previous eye conditions, surgeries, medications, and your vision goals.
This conversation helps identify any factors that might affect your candidacy for LASIK. The testing phase involves multiple advanced measurements that create a complete profile of your eyes.
Corneal topography maps the surface of your cornea in three dimensions, revealing its shape and detecting any irregularities. This technology is particularly important for identifying conditions like keratoconus that would make LASIK unsafe. Pachymetry measures corneal thickness, which must be adequate to safely create the LASIK flap and reshape the underlying tissue.
Your refractive error will be measured using both automated and manual techniques to determine the precise level of correction needed. Wavefront analysis goes beyond basic prescription measurements to detect higher-order aberrations that affect visual quality. This detailed mapping allows for custom LASIK treatments tailored to your specific visual needs.
Additional tests evaluate your pupil size in different lighting conditions, check your tear film quality, and measure intraocular pressure. Each measurement serves a specific purpose in determining whether LASIK is right for you and predicting your potential outcomes.
After the testing is complete, you’ll meet with one of the refractive surgeons at Discover Vision Centers. The doctors at Discover Vision Centers have over 125 years of combined experience in laser vision correction and are internationally recognized experts in the field.
Your surgeon will review all of your test results and explain what they mean for your specific situation. If you’re a good candidate, they’ll discuss which type of LASIK would work best for your eyes.
Discover Vision Centers offers bladeless LASIK using femtosecond laser technology, custom LASIK treatments based on wavefront optimization, and topography-guided LASIK for eyes with irregular surfaces.
The surgeon will explain realistic expectations for your vision after surgery. Most patients achieve significant improvement, but individual results depend on factors like your prescription strength, corneal thickness, and eye health.
This conversation is a good time to ask about the recovery timeline, potential risks, and long-term vision stability.
LASIK candidacy depends on vision stability, eye health, and appropriate expectations. You must be at least 18 years old with a prescription that has remained stable for at least 12 months. Pregnant or nursing women should wait, as hormonal changes can temporarily affect vision and corneal shape.
Certain eye conditions make LASIK not the best choice. Keratoconus, severe dry eye, thin corneas, and some retinal problems mean laser vision correction isn’t safe.
Autoimmune diseases and uncontrolled diabetes can affect healing and increase complication risks. If you’re not a candidate for LASIK, your surgeon will explain why and discuss alternative vision correction options.
Your lifestyle and visual demands also factor into the candidacy discussion. If you participate in contact sports or activities with a high risk of eye trauma, your surgeon will consider how this affects your treatment plan.
Similarly, your occupation and hobbies influence whether LASIK is the best choice for your needs.
The cost of LASIK at Discover Vision Centers depends on the level of correction needed and the type of treatment recommended for your eyes. During your consultation, you’ll receive a detailed price quote specific to your situation.
Most medical insurance plans don’t cover laser vision correction because it’s considered elective, though some plans offer discounted rates to members.
When comparing LASIK cost to years of purchasing glasses and contact lenses, many patients find that laser vision correction is a wise investment. The consultation team can show you how much you currently spend on vision correction annually and project your savings over time.
Discover Vision Centers partners with CareCredit to offer financing options with monthly payment plans, subject to credit approval. You can also use health savings accounts or flexible spending accounts to pay for LASIK with pre-tax dollars.
The LASIK consultation includes a thorough discussion of all payment options so you can make an informed decision.
If you’re a good candidate and decide to move forward, you can schedule your LASIK procedure. The surgery itself takes approximately 20 minutes, though you’ll be at the surgical center for a few hours.
Most patients achieve legal driving vision within several hours after the procedure and return to nearly all normal activities the next day.
You’re never pressured to schedule surgery during your consultation. Take time to consider the information, discuss it with family members, and make the decision that feels right for you. The consultation provides all the details you need to move forward confidently, but there’s no obligation.
Before your appointment, you’ll need to stop wearing contact lenses for a specific period. Soft contact lenses should be removed at least three days prior to your consultation, while rigid gas-permeable lenses require two to three weeks without wear. Contact lenses can temporarily alter the shape of your cornea, which would affect the accuracy of your measurements.
Plan to have someone drive you home after your consultation. Your eyes will be dilated during the exam, which can blur your vision and make driving unsafe for several hours. Bring your current glasses and a list of any medications you take, including over-the-counter supplements.
If you have questions about the procedure, cost, or recovery, write them down beforehand so you remember to ask.
Taking the first step toward a clearer vision starts with understanding your options. The appointment is thorough, informative, and comes with no obligation to proceed with surgery.
Schedule your free consultation at Discover Vision Centers in Kansas City, KS, today and discover what life might look like without the daily hassle of glasses or contact lenses.
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