Am I a Good Candidate for LASIK? Candidacy Requirements Explained

Why candidacy matters before you look at cost

LASIK can deliver life-changing results, but it is not suitable for every person who wants it. A careful candidacy evaluation protects you from a poor outcome and helps your surgeon recommend the right procedure if LASIK itself is not the best fit. Before comparing prices or booking a consultation, it helps to know which factors the surgeon will evaluate and what can disqualify you or redirect you toward an alternative.

Core candidacy criteria

• Age: Most surgeons require patients to be at least 18, and many prefer 21, to ensure the prescription has had time to stabilize. There is no firm upper age limit, but older patients should discuss how LASIK interacts with the near-vision changes that come with presbyopia.
• Stable prescription: Your prescription should not have changed by more than 0.50 diopters in the past one to two years. A prescription that is still shifting will continue to shift after surgery, reducing the benefit over time.
• Prescription range: LASIK can correct nearsightedness up to roughly negative 12 diopters, farsightedness up to about positive 6 diopters, and astigmatism up to about 6 diopters, though most surgeons operate conservatively within those outer limits.
• Adequate corneal thickness: Creating the LASIK flap and ablating tissue requires sufficient corneal volume. Surgeons measure with pachymetry and corneal topography and will recommend PRK or another procedure if your corneas are too thin for a safe flap.
• Pupil size: Very large pupils in low light can increase the risk of halos and glare post-operatively. Modern laser platforms have larger treatment zones than earlier generations, but pupil size is still assessed during evaluation.
• Dry eye status: Mild dry eye can often be managed before and after LASIK. Moderate to severe dry eye may worsen with surgery. Tear production and tear-film quality are both tested during a proper pre-op workup.

Conditions that may disqualify you

Keratoconus, a condition where the cornea progressively thins and bulges, is a contraindication for LASIK because surgery on an already weakened cornea can accelerate the problem. Autoimmune conditions that affect healing, uncontrolled diabetes, and certain medications that impair wound healing may also disqualify a candidate. Pregnancy and nursing are temporary exclusions because hormonal changes can shift the prescription.

What happens during a candidacy evaluation

A thorough pre-op evaluation takes one to two hours and includes corneal topography, pachymetry, pupil dilation, wavefront analysis, and a detailed refraction. The surgeon reviews all of these together rather than any single measurement in isolation. Most practices charge $50 to $200 for this evaluation, though many apply it toward the surgery cost if you proceed. A brief phone screening or online quiz is not a substitute for the full diagnostic workup.

Alternatives if LASIK is not right for you

PRK produces equivalent long-term visual outcomes and is suitable for patients with thinner corneas or higher dry-eye risk. SMILE is flapless and reduces dry-eye risk post-operatively, though it has a narrower prescription range. ICL (implantable collamer lens) is a surgical alternative for patients who are too nearsighted for surface ablation or whose corneas are too thin for any laser procedure. Your surgeon will outline which options apply to your specific measurements.

Frequently asked questions

Can I get LASIK if I have astigmatism? Yes. Both LASIK and PRK treat astigmatism effectively across most prescription ranges. Tell your surgeon your full prescription so the right procedure and technology are chosen for your specific correction needs.

I am over 40. Is LASIK still worth it? LASIK corrects distance vision at any age, but presbyopia means most people over 40 will still need reading glasses for near tasks afterward. Some surgeons offer monovision LASIK, correcting one eye for distance and one for near, which can reduce but not eliminate reading-glass dependence.

Does wearing contacts affect candidacy testing? Yes. Soft contacts alter the shape of your cornea temporarily. Most surgeons ask you to stop wearing soft contacts for two weeks before evaluation and rigid gas-permeable lenses for four to six weeks.

Bottom line

The best way to know if you are a candidate is a full diagnostic evaluation with a licensed ophthalmologist, not an online quiz or a brief phone call. Corneal thickness, prescription stability, and tear-film health all determine not just whether you qualify but which procedure gives you the safest and best result. Schedule a thorough pre-op workup before making any financial commitment.

Related guides

• How Much Does LASIK Eye Surgery Cost Per Eye?
• Is LASIK Worth the Cost Compared to a Lifetime of Glasses?
• LASIK vs PRK vs SMILE: How the Costs Compare
• Does Insurance Cover LASIK? FSA, HSA, and Vision Plan Options
• LASIK Recovery: What to Expect Day by Day
• LASIK Risks and Side Effects: What the Research Actually Shows
• Lasik Eye Surgery Cost Guide