Is Thailand the right place for your LASIK surgery?

Can you accept the problems of long distance air travel and the teething problems of a new international airport?
If you choose Thailand for cost reasons, is it really cheaper if you factor in plane tickets and hotel fees?
Do you know that Thailand is hot and humid most of the year and that you should book an air conditioned room?
Do you know that traffic in Bangkok is bad and that it might take more than one hour in a taxi to get from one end of town to the other?
Can you accept that not everybody speaks perfect English?
Do you know that the beach is not the best environment shortly after LASIK surgery and that scuba diving or even swimming are not recommended for a couple of weeks after surgery?
Do you know that at many LASIK clinics you will be asked to undergo an HIV test?
In case complications occur after your return, do you accept that you might need to have those treated in your home country and that this might be costly?
Can you accept that in Thailand medical malpractice law suits are not going to make you rich even if you win a case?
Do you know that you will not be able to benefit from some of the free follow-up services included in standard LASIK packages if you leave Thailand shortly after your surgery?

Is LASIK for you? A good doctor will ask you the following questions?

Does your job prohibit LASIK surgery?
Can you really afford this procedure?
Do you have an autoimmune disease or other major illness?
Do you have a chronic illness that might slow or alter the healing process?
Do you have or have you ever had any problems with your eyes other than needing glasses or contacts?
Do you take steroids or other drugs that might slow or alter the healing process?
Has your prescription changed in the last year?
Do you use glasses or contacts only some of the time?
Do you need an unusually strong prescription?
Are your pupils extra large in dim conditions?
Do you have thin corneas?
Do you have dry eyes?

Are you willing and able to have more than one surgery to get the desired result?
May still need reading glasses - do you have presbyopia (farsightedness)?
Do you think this is the last correction you will ever need? Do you realize that long-term results are not known?
Do you know some patients may lose some vision or experience blindness?
Do you know that if you have dry eyes they could become worse, or if you don’t have dry eyes before you could develop chronic dry eyes as a result of surgery?
Do you know about glare, halos, starbursts, etc. and that night driving might be difficult?
Contrast sensitivity - do you know your vision could be significantly reduced in dim light conditions?
Do you know the additional risks of having both eyes treated at the same time?
Have you read the patient information booklet about the laser being used for your procedure?

No contact lenses prior to evaluation and surgery - can you go for an extended period of time without wearing contact lenses?
Have a thorough exam - have you arranged not to drive or work after the exam?
Has your doctor given you an informed consent form to take home and answered all your questions?
Can you go 24-36 hours without makeup prior to surgery?
Can someone drive you home after surgery?
Can you take time off to take it easy for a couple of days if necessary?
Expect not to see clearly for a few days - do you know you will not see clearly immediately?
Know sights, smells, sounds of surgery - has your doctor made you feel comfortable with the actual steps of the procedure?
Are you willing and able to put drops in your eyes at regular intervals?
Do you know you need to protect the eye with an eye shield for a period of time after surgery to avoid injury?
Expect some pain/discomfort - do you know how much pain to expect?
Do you understand what problems could occur and when to seek medical intervention?
Know when to expect your vision to stop changing - are you aware that final results could take months?
If you don't get the desired result, do you know not to have an enhancement until the prescription stops changing?