Are you a good candidate for LASIK?
In general, the best candidates for LASIK:
- have a disease-free cornea;
- have a mild to moderate amount of nearsightedness and / or astigmatism;
- have a mild to moderate amount of farsightedness;
- have stable vision with no eyeglass prescription change for at least 12 months prior to surgery;
- feel that glasses or contact lenses interfere with professional and / or social activities;
- have no other problem that affects the general health of the eyes;
- can view LASIK surgery as a long-term investment that actually saves money over time when compared to the cost of replacing prescription eyeglasses, contact lenses and solution.
If you are nearsighted or farsighted, with or without astigmatism, you may be a candidate for LASIK surgery. Even though LASIK offers hope for many people with refractive errors, it is not for everyone.
Some people with excessively high refractive errors may exceed the limits of LASIK. You should be in good general health and not be pregnant. Since eyes continue to change through the teen years, candidates for surgery should be at least 18 years of age with a stable refraction. Beyond that, there is no age limit; however LASIK is not an option for patients with other common eye problems such as cataracts or diabetic retinopathy.
Use our LASIK Checklist to decide whether or not this procedure is for you.