I accidentally stumbled upon this board and found it very informative and people are eager to help. I wore glasses since I was a kid and dream of one day to wake up and be able to see the blue sky without glasses. My prescription is as follow:

OD: spherical -500, cylindrical -100, axis 58
OS: spherical -550, cylindrical -100, axis 178

Am I a good candidate for lasik? Can someone educate me what these numbers are?

Donald,

Your refractive error is within the range that is correctible by Lasik, but there are so many other important factors that it would be impossible for anyone to tell you over the Internet if you can have Lasik. You need a comprehensive examination by a competent doctor to determine if you are actually a candidate.

To learn how to read an eyeglass or contact lens prescription, visit http://www.usaeyes.org/lasik/faq/read-eyeglasses-contacts-prescription.htm

You have incorrectly written your numbers slightly. They would be:

OD -5.00 -1.00 @ 58
OS -5.50 -1.00 @ 178 (double check the axis number)

This would be considered by many as a moderate refractive error.

Glenn Hagele
http://USAEyes.org
Lasik Patient Advocacy & Surgeon Certification

I am not a doctor.

Hi Glenn,
Thank you very much for the advice. I will schedule a checkup soon.
Donald