How to know if you are suitable for LASIK surgery

20/05/2025

LASIK is a corneal eye surgery that corrects refractive problems such as myopia, hyperopia, and astigmatism, allowing for a reduction or elimination of the need for glasses or contact lenses. It is a safe and effective technique, but not everyone can undergo this surgery. To determine whether you are a good candidate for LASIK surgery, it is necessary to attend a consultation with an ophthalmologist for a personalised diagnosis.

If you are asking yourself, “am I suitable for LASIK surgery?”, here we clear up all your doubts about the general criteria for undergoing LASIK.

Requirements for LASIK surgery

To be a good candidate for LASIK, you must meet the following criteria:

• Minimum age for LASIK surgery: It is recommended to wait until the age of 21, when your prescription tends to stabilise.
• Stable prescription: Your optical prescription must have remained stable for at least one year.
• Adequate corneal thickness: The cornea must be thick enough for laser reshaping.
• Good ocular health: You should not suffer from infections, keratoconus, or severe dry eye.
• Not pregnant or breastfeeding: Hormonal changes can temporarily affect vision.

Contraindications for LASIK

Not everyone can have the surgery. These are some contraindications:

• Keratoconus or irregular cornea
• Chronic eye diseases, such as glaucoma or advanced cataracts
• Autoimmune disorders, such as lupus or rheumatoid arthritis
• Severe dry eye

If you present any of these conditions, LASIK may not be the best option for you, but there are other alternatives in corneal refractive surgery such as the SMILE or PRK techniques, or procedures involving an intraocular lens.

What prescriptions can LASIK correct?

LASIK is effective within certain prescription ranges, although these are indicative and will also depend on other parameters such as corneal thickness or curvature:

• Myopia: up to -8 dioptres
• Hyperopia: up to +4 dioptres
• Astigmatism: up to 5 dioptres

If your prescription exceeds these values, the ophthalmologist will evaluate other surgical options.

Tests to determine if I can have LASIK

To confirm whether you are a good candidate, we perform ophthalmological tests such as:

• Corneal topography to analyse the shape and thickness of the cornea
• Tomographic and biomechanical analysis to assess corneal rigidity
• Refraction and visual acuity to measure your exact prescription
• Dry eye test to evaluate tear production

These exams allow specialists to determine whether LASIK surgery is appropriate and safe for your eyes.

Dr Paola Sauvageot, ophthalmologist at the Barraquer Ophthalmology Centre