# Am I a LASIK Candidate?

LASIK candidacy depends on adequate corneal thickness, a prescription stable for at least a year, being over twenty one, healthy corneas and a well controlled ocular surface. Thin corneas and untreated dry eye are the most common disqualifiers.

The assessment for refractive surgery is genuinely diagnostic rather than a formality, and a meaningful proportion of people who want it are not suitable.

Corneal thickness is the most common limiting factor. LASIK removes tissue, and enough must remain afterwards for the cornea to stay structurally stable. Corneal topography and pachymetry measure this, and thin corneas or early keratoconus rule surgery out entirely.

Prescription stability is the second. A prescription still changing means surgery would correct a moving target, which is why most surgeons want a year or more of stability and generally do not operate under twenty one.

Dry eye is the third and most underestimated. LASIK temporarily interrupts corneal nerve signalling, which reduces tear production during healing. Someone with untreated dry eye going into surgery will have significantly worse dry eye afterwards, so the ocular surface is assessed and treated first.

## What to expect

**Corneal topography and pachymetry**

Surface mapping over 20,000 points and thickness measurement, which together determine whether surgery is structurally safe.

**Prescription stability review**

Previous prescriptions compared to establish whether it has settled.

**Ocular surface assessment**

Tear film and eyelid gland function evaluated, because untreated dry eye reliably worsens after surgery.

**A straight answer**

Suitable, not suitable, or suitable once something is addressed, with the reasoning shown from your own measurements.

## What this does not do

- Thin corneas, keratoconus or corneal irregularity generally rule out LASIK.
- An unstable prescription means waiting rather than proceeding.
- Untreated dry eye should be managed before any surgical assessment.
- Surgery does not prevent presbyopia. Reading glasses will still be needed from the mid forties.


## Questions and answers
**What is the most common reason people are turned down?**

Insufficient corneal thickness, followed by prescription instability and untreated dry eye. The first is permanent, the second is a matter of waiting, and the third is treatable.

**I was told my corneas are too thin. What now?**

Ortho-K is worth assessing. Because nothing is removed, thin corneas are rarely a barrier to overnight lenses, and the daily result is similar.

**Will LASIK mean I never need glasses?**

It corrects your distance prescription. It does nothing about presbyopia, so reading glasses will still be needed from the mid forties. Anyone suggesting otherwise is overselling.

**Is there an age limit?**

Generally not before twenty one, because prescriptions are still changing. There is no strict upper limit, though after around sixty cataract surgery often becomes the more sensible option.

## Related

- https://eyedoctorphoenixaz.com/ortho-k/ortho-k-vs-lasik
- https://eyedoctorphoenixaz.com/lasik-co-management/lasik-alternatives
- https://eyedoctorphoenixaz.com/specialty-eye-care/dry-eye

---## About this practice
Arizona's Vision Eye Care Center, 15215 S 48th St Ste 180, Phoenix, AZ 85044.
Phone (480) 706-3937. Monday to Thursday 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM, Friday 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Closed Saturday and Sunday.
Independent optometry practice, founded 1994. One location. Does not perform refractive or cataract surgery.
This site publishes no star rating and no review count, because the figures across the practice's own properties contradict one another and cannot be verified.
This page is general information, not medical advice.