Not everyone who wants to ditch their contact lenses or glasses is a candidate for LASIK, but other procedures like Intacs, conductive keratoplasty or SUPERLASIK may be options.

Before making that decision, ophthalmologist Dr. Rajesh Khanna has some tips for picking a surgeon to do the work.

+Be sure the surgeon is board certified.

+Ask if he or she has taken part in a fellowship or special training in refractive surgery.

+The surgeon should be experienced, having performed at least 1,000 LASIK surgeries.

+He or she should use the latest equipment, only fourthgeneration lasers or newer.

+He or she should measure the thickness and shape of the cornea.

+There should be alternatives to LASIK, such as Intacs or implantable collamer lenses, available at the surgeon's center.

+The surgeon should be involved in seeing the patient before and after surgery.

The Khanna Institute has a center at 1220 La Venta Drive, Ste. 209, Westlake Village. For more information, visit www.khannainstitute.com.