LASIK eye surgery is a popular procedure all over the country (more than one million LASIK surgeries are perform each year in the U.S.), and Dallas is no exception. Dallas, Texas offers a host of qualified LASIK eye surgeons. What's more, since many Dallas-area residents have already undergone the surgery, chances are you currently know of someone who has had LASIK.

If possible, it's a good idea to speak with former patients before undergoing LASIK yourself. If you can get a friend to recommend a reliable LASIK surgeon, you'll be one step closer to locating a surgeon you feel comfortable with. Alternatively, your regular physician should be able to refer you to a reputable eye surgeon.

Once you choose your surgeon, he or she will assess your candidacy for LASIK surgery and take a full medical history. It is important at this stage for your ophthalmologist to rule out any complicating factors as well as to familiarize him or herself with your eye condition. Be sure to tell your physician anything in your past or present that might be relevant to your surgery.

In the weeks before surgery, your doctor will likely ask you to stop wearing your contacts in order to prepare your eyes for the operation. The operation itself is performed with the help of an extremely accurate laser capable of shaving off layers of the corneal stroma many times thinner than a human hair. The recovery is usually relatively brief, with follow-up visits typically recommended by the surgeon to monitor the healing process.