Thinking about LASIK? The best place to start is an independent evaluation, one that is not done by the surgical center that will be performing your procedure. Round Rock Eyes provides LASIK candidacy screenings and complete post-operative co-management for patients throughout Round Rock, Cedar Park, Georgetown, Pflugerville, and the greater Austin area.
LASIK co-management is a partnership between your optometrist and a refractive surgeon.
Your optometrist (that's us) evaluates whether you are a good candidate, provides the clinical measurements the surgeon needs, and then handles all of your post-operative care after the procedure. The surgeon performs the laser vision correction itself.
We do not perform LASIK surgery. Our role is to screen you thoroughly, refer you to a qualified surgeon, and monitor your recovery to make sure your vision heals safely and fully.
Not everyone qualifies for LASIK, and getting an honest, independent assessment matters. Our candidacy evaluation examines the factors that determine whether LASIK is safe and likely to give you the vision improvement you are hoping for.
LASIK removes corneal tissue. If your cornea is too thin or has an irregular shape (such as early keratoconus), LASIK is not safe and we will discuss alternatives like PRK or simply continuing with glasses or specialty lenses.
Your glasses or contact lens prescription should have been stable for at least one to two years. If it is still changing, LASIK results may not hold.
Significant pre-existing dry eye can be worsened by LASIK and may affect healing. We evaluate and treat dry eyes before making a referral.
Very large pupils in low light or prescriptions outside the laser's approved treatment range may affect candidacy.
We look for any retinal conditions, corneal scars, or other issues that could affect your surgical outcome.
If you are a good candidate, we compile a full pre-operative data package for your surgeon. This includes your corneal topography maps, refraction data, ocular health findings, and any relevant history (contact lens wear history, dry eye treatment status, medications). Having this information in advance allows the surgical team to plan your treatment precisely.
We also ask you to stop wearing contact lenses before your pre-op measurements. Soft lenses should typically be out for at least two weeks. Rigid gas permeable (RGP) or scleral lenses require a longer break. We will give you the exact timeline at your evaluation.
After your LASIK procedure, you will return to Round Rock Eyes for all of your follow-up visits. These are not optional as each appointment checks different aspects of your healing and catches any concerns early.
Day 1 (within 24 hours): Vision check, eye pressure measurement, corneal inspection under the slit lamp. We confirm the corneal flap is lying flat and healing normally.
Week 1: Assess best corrected vision, check for dry eye symptoms, verify you are using your prescribed drops correctly. Discuss any visual disturbances (halos, starbursts) that are common in early healing.
Month 1: Significant milestone. Most patients see their best vision by now. We check the refraction and IOP, and discuss any regression concerns.
Month 3 and Month 6: Confirm prescription stability and monitor corneal health. Continued dry eye management if needed.
Year 1: At your next annual exam, we'll perform a final outcome assessment. If any regression has occurred, we'll discuss enhancement options with your surgeon.
Dry eye is one of the most common side effects of LASIK and can significantly affect your comfort and visual clarity during recovery. LASIK temporarily disrupts corneal nerves that signal your eye to produce tears, so even patients without pre-existing dry eye may experience dryness in the months after surgery.
We proactively manage post-LASIK dry eye with preservative-free artificial tears, prescription drops if needed, and in some cases punctal plugs (tiny inserts that slow tear drainage). Most patients see significant improvement by month three.
If you had notable dry eye before LASIK, we discuss this in detail during your candidacy evaluation so you know what to expect.
Why should I get my candidacy evaluation at Round Rock Eyes instead of the LASIK center?
A LASIK center has a vested interest in approving you for surgery. Our evaluation is fully independent. We do not perform surgery, so our only goal is to give you an honest answer about whether LASIK is right for your eyes. If it’s not, we will say so and explain why.
Which LASIK surgeons does Round Rock Eyes work with?
We partner with experienced refractive surgeons in the Austin area and can make a referral based on your specific prescription and corneal profile. If you already have a surgeon in mind, we are happy to coordinate with that practice instead.
What if I am not a candidate for LASIK?
Several alternatives exist depending on why LASIK is not appropriate. PRK (photorefractive keratectomy) is often suitable when the cornea is borderline thin. ICL (implantable collamer lens) works for higher prescriptions. If corneal irregularity is the issue, scleral or specialty contact lenses may provide excellent vision without surgery. We will walk through your options at your consultation.
Will my insurance cover LASIK co-management visits?
Post-operative co-management visits are typically bundled into the LASIK fees paid to the surgeon. LASIK itself is generally not covered by insurance, as it is considered an elective procedure. We will verify your specific benefits before your first visit.
How long does it take to see clearly after LASIK?
Many patients notice dramatically improved vision within 24 hours of surgery. Vision continues to stabilize over the following weeks to months. Fluctuations, especially in low light or when your eyes are tired, are common during the first month.
Can I return to work the next day?
Many patients return to desk work within one to two days. We give you specific guidelines at your Day 1 visit based on how your eye is healing. Activities like swimming and contact sports have longer restrictions.
Do you treat patients from outside Round Rock?
Yes. We regularly see LASIK patients from Cedar Park, Georgetown, Pflugerville, Hutto, and the greater North Austin area. If you have been searching for LASIK co-management near you, Round Rock Eyes is located at 481 Sundance Pkwy in the La Frontera Shopping Center, Round Rock, TX 78681. Call us at 512-255-9995 or schedule a consultation online.
