Who is a Good LASIK Candidate?

LASIK is an eye surgery to correct three refractive errors:

• Nearsightedness (myopia)
• Farsightedness (hyperopia)
• Astigmatism

LASIK can also correct a fourth condition -- presbyopia (age-related farsightedness), by correcting one eye for near distances and leaving the other eye is it is, for far distances. However, this is not LASIK's main focus.

So if you are myopic, hyperopic or astigmatic, you have passed the first candidacy requirement. Myopia should be mild to moderate. If it is very severe LASIK would not be safe.

You would need to be aged over 18 years and with a stable prescription. In other words, if you have changed your glasses or contacts within the previous two years, that would be considered too unstable for LASIK to be effective. Your eyes would probably change in another six months, undoing the LASIK improvement.

If you have any type of autoimmune disease, poorly controlled diabetes, or any eye disease, LASIK would not be safe. Although there are no stitches or bandages, LASIK is surgery, and good general health is a prerequisite for a successful recovery.

Most people achieve 20/20 vision or better after a LASIK procedure, but not all. Every surgery brings some risk. LASIK has its risks and potential complications, although you can avoid some of them by choosing a fully-qualified and well-experienced LASIK surgeon. Such a surgeon would want you to accept the possibility of problems arising during recovery, and the possibility that you might not achieve 20/20 vision. Realistic expectations are a pre-requisite for LASIK.

Your eye surgeon would expect you to follow his instructions before, during, and after your procedure. Your successful recovery would depend on this.