Despite LASIK’s popularity, a thorough evaluation is required to determine whether you’re a candidate! It’s not as simple as walking into a surgeon’s office and waiting in line, but starting this journey is as easy as visiting your optometrist.
Being eligible for LASIK requires your optometrist to take a thorough look at the factors, such as your eye health, prescription stability, corneal thickness, age, overall health, and vision prescription, which are all addressed during a routine eye exam.
After the routine exam, your optometrist can discuss laser eye surgery options that align with your eye health, vision, and expectations, including LASIK.
What Are the Requirements for LASIK Surgery?
LASIK can offer promising improvements, but like any procedure, your vision team has to determine whether you’re an eligible candidate for this surgery. The process helps gauge whether LASIK can help you achieve your desired visual results.
Here are the key factors your optometrist evaluates to determine whether you’re a good candidate for LASIK.
Your Eye Health
Your eyes need to be in good health for LASIK surgery. Conditions like glaucoma, cataracts, severe dry eye, or untreated eye infections may disqualify you as a candidate.
If you have an eye disease or previous injuries, your doctor will evaluate their impact on LASIK safety.
Your Prescription Stability
When you’re young, your vision is more likely to fluctuate, affecting treatment results. Even though LASIK is very safe, it’s still a surgery. We want to confirm your vision is stable before letting you explore laser vision correction.
A good indication that you’re ready for LASIK is if your prescription has been stable for at least 12 months. Your vision hasn’t fluctuated (up or down) more than 0.50 diopters.
Although candidates must be at least 18 years old, we recommend waiting until your mid-20s (when your eyes stop growing) or once your prescription is steady.
Corneal Thickness
LASIK surgery reshapes your cornea to improve vision, so it’s necessary to have sufficient corneal thickness.
During the procedure, your surgeon carefully removes a small amount of corneal tissue to improve refractive errors. A cornea that is too thin or irregularly shaped may not have enough tissue to perform the surgery safely or create an improved shape to sharpen vision.
When you meet every other measure for eligibility but have thin or irregular corneas, your optometrist may recommend an alternative procedure, like PRK.
Age & Overall Health
Since younger people often experience fluctuating vision, you must be at least 18 years old. However, meeting this minimum age requirement doesn’t guarantee you’re ready for the procedure.
Good general health is essential since certain medical conditions, such as autoimmune diseases or pregnancy, can affect LASIK surgery outcomes.
Your Vision Prescription
LASIK surgery can improve most refractive errors, but it depends on the severity of your vision prescription.
The general vision prescription range for people interested in LASIK surgery typically falls between -12.00 diopters of nearsightedness and +6.00 diopters of farsightedness, with up to 6.00 diopters of astigmatism.
If your vision falls outside of this range, you may not experience your desired results. Speak with your optometrist about alternative options to meet your vision needs and desired outcomes.
How an Eye Exam Determines LASIK Candidacy
An ideal LASIK candidate needs to meet a list of requirements. Fortunately, routine eye exams already cover most of the concerns on this list. However, you can schedule a laser eye surgery consultation with your eye doctor for an assessment focused on LASIK eligibility.
While people generally have an eye exam when they feel their vision prescription needs an update, a regular visit goes far beyond monitoring eyesight.
It helps determine the health of your eye and detect any potential concerns related to your general health, eye health, or overall vision for timely intervention and management.
During your comprehensive eye exam, your optometrist will conduct a series of tests to verify whether LASIK can safely and effectively meet your expectations for improving your vision.
Review of Your Medical & Eye History
Your optometrist will start by discussing your health history, any medications you take, and any recent changes in your vision. Being transparent helps confirm that your eye doctor can evaluate your candidacy accurately.
If you learn of any eye conditions that run in the family, like glaucoma or macular degeneration, please let your optometrist know! An updated history allows your optometrist to screen for these eye conditions, even if your risk is low, to help preserve your vision and eye health.
Eye Pressure Test (Tonometry)
Everyone’s favorite “air-puff” test serves an important purpose during your routine eye exams. Tonometry is an instrument that measures your eye’s internal pressure (IOP).
High IOP might indicate glaucoma or other eye conditions, which have to be managed first before considering LASIK surgery.
Detailed Vision Evaluation
Visual acuity and the refraction exam determine the strength of your prescription, whether it’s still fluctuating or stable, and whether it falls within the ideal correction range for LASIK.
Corneal Mapping & Thickness Measurement
Corneal topography testing helps analyze your cornea’s shape, curvature, and thickness to verify that your eye surgeon can perform the LASIK reshaping process effectively and safely.
Pupil Size Measurement
Your optometrist will also assess the size of your pupils. Larger pupils in low-light conditions may increase the risk of glare or halos after surgery.
Tear Film Assessment
A healthy tear film (the eye’s natural surface moisture layer) helps maintain clear vision and promotes a smooth recovery. Many people experience dry eyes following LASIK; however, their symptoms typically improve with time.
Identifying any issues beforehand, such as dry eye, allows your optometrist to address this concern first to improve the outcome of your procedure.
Life After LASIK: Why Annual Eye Exams Still Matter
One of the biggest misconceptions about LASIK is that it eliminates the need for routine eye care. While the procedure can reduce or even eliminate the need for glasses or contact lenses, it doesn’t mean you should skip your annual comprehensive eye exams.
Many patients enjoy excellent vision for years after LASIK—but your vision and eye health are not the same thing. Regular eye exams help your optometrist monitor both. Even if you’re still seeing clearly, your eye doctor can screen for early signs of serious eye conditions like glaucoma, cataracts, or retinal issues that often don’t cause symptoms right away.
Skipping these exams because your vision “feels fine” could mean missing the early stages of an eye disease when it’s most treatable.
Our team at See & Co is here to support your visual wellness long after your surgery. Whether it’s been 1 year or 10 since your LASIK procedure, don’t wait to book your next eye exam.
Sharper Vision Starts Here
LASIK can significantly change how you see the world. But it’s crucial to consider its impact on your visual health. That’s why taking the time to determine your eligibility through a routine eye exam is non-negotiable.
At See & Co, our experienced team is here to guide you every step of the way, from your routine eye exam to life after LASIK. Connect with us to schedule your routine eye exam today!
