Many people are undergoing laser eye surgery to correct vision problems and free themselves of glasses and contacts forever. In most cases, the procedure is very effective and patients are very pleased with the results. The laser vaporizes eye tissue with UV light to change the shape of the cornea. Vision problems like nearsightedness, farsightedness, and astigmatism are caused by the way images focus on a person's retina. By changing the shape of the cornea, vision problems can be eliminated. Depending on the type of laser vision correction chosen, the process can be quite simple (the eye surgeon removes the outer layer of the cornea and vaporizes tissue underneath) to more complicated ( the eye surgeon cuts the cornea, lifts it and removes tissue from underneath). Recovery time ranges from around a week to two weeks, and certain precautions must be taken during this time to avoid injury or infection. Like any surgery, there are certain risks and complications. Pain afterwards is usually very manageable, but in certain cases can be severe. Some patients complain of dry eyes, which can affect vision, or hazy vision. There is a risk of the patients' vision returning to it's pre-operative state, which requires another laser eye procedure to try and correct it. A more serious complication involves a weakening of the cornea, causing it to bulge and requiring a corneal transplant. So, who's not a good candidate for laser eye surgery? Consider the following before you decide: certain diseases and medical problems could make you a poor candidate for this type of vision correction. Conditions like diabetes, glaucoma and even previous surgery on your eyes or eyelids play an important role in determining your suitability for this surgery. If you play any type of contact sport, or activity where you could be hit in the face, you should not get laser eye surgery. Your age is also a consideration: you will probably require reading glasses after refractive surgery if you are over 40. There is no guarantee that laser eye surgery will improve your vision 100% or even be successful. Are you willing to undergo additional surgeries if the first one doesn't work? Finally, consider the cost, as your health insurance plan most likely won't cover the procedure. Despite the risks, many people have had great results from laser eye surgery with no complications. They can now enjoy life without the aid of glasses or contacts. The best course of action is to talk to your eye doctor, or a carefully selected eye surgeon. If you decide that laser eye surgery is right for you, he or she can help you make a decision about the best type of surgery for you, and help you with important aftercare.