Am I a good candidate for LASIK?

Determining LASIK candidacy requires a comprehensive eye examination, but here are the general criteria.

Basic Requirements

1. Age: At least 18 years old (21+ preferred for stable vision) 2. Stable prescription: No significant changes for 1-2 years 3. Healthy eyes: No eye diseases or conditions 4. Adequate corneal thickness: Typically 500+ microns 5. Realistic expectations: Understanding LASIK's benefits and limitations

Ideal Candidates

• Prescription within treatable range (-12 to +6 diopters)
• Corneal thickness of 500 microns or more
• Normal corneal shape (no keratoconus)
• Good general health
• Not pregnant or nursing
• No autoimmune diseases

Factors That May Disqualify You

• Thin corneas: Less tissue for safe reshaping
• Large pupils: May cause night vision problems
• Severe dry eyes: Can worsen after LASIK
• Keratoconus: Progressive corneal thinning
• Cataracts: Other procedures more appropriate
• Uncontrolled diabetes: Affects healing
• Autoimmune diseases: Lupus, rheumatoid arthritis

The Evaluation Process

A thorough LASIK evaluation includes:

• Complete medical history
• Current prescription and stability
• Corneal thickness measurement (pachymetry)
• Corneal topography (mapping)
• Pupil size measurement
• Tear film evaluation
• Retinal examination