Am I a Good Candidate for LASIK? What the Evaluation Actually Checks

The most common question before LASIK isn’t really “how does the procedure work” — it’s “am I actually a candidate.” That question can only be answered properly through a detailed evaluation, but knowing what that evaluation actually checks helps set realistic expectations going in.

Prescription Stability

LASIK candidates generally need a glasses or contact lens prescription that’s been stable for at least a year. A prescription that’s still actively changing — common in younger patients or those with progressing myopia — usually means waiting until it stabilizes first.

Corneal Thickness and Shape

LASIK works by reshaping the cornea, which means there needs to be enough corneal tissue to work with safely. Corneal topography mapping measures both thickness and surface shape, identifying any irregularities that could affect candidacy or change which type of procedure is more appropriate.

Overall Eye Health

A comprehensive eye health assessment checks for conditions like significant dry eye disease, certain corneal conditions, or other eye health issues that could affect healing or outcomes. Some of these aren’t necessarily permanent disqualifiers — they may just mean addressing them first.

Age and General Health

Most providers recommend a minimum age of 18, though many prefer slightly older patients given that prescriptions are more likely to have stabilized by then. Certain general health conditions and pregnancy can also affect timing.

Realistic Expectations

This is less a “test” and more a conversation — understanding what LASIK can and can’t achieve for your specific eyes, including the fact that it doesn’t address presbyopia (the natural age-related decline in near-focusing ability), is part of a thorough evaluation.

What Happens If You’re Not a Candidate

If LASIK isn’t the right fit, a responsible evaluation will tell you clearly, along with what alternatives might suit you better — whether that’s simply continuing with glasses or contacts, or exploring a different procedure depending on your specific eyes.

The only way to get a real answer is to book an evaluation rather than guess from a checklist — but going in understanding what’s actually being assessed makes that conversation a lot more useful.