Free eye check · 2 min · No sign-up
Am I a candidate for LASIK? (free quiz)
Answer ten questions on the factors surgeons check first and see whether LASIK, SMILE, PRK, ICL or lens surgery is most likely to suit you.
Loading the check…
A screening aid, not a diagnosis. Screens, lighting and distance affect results. If something looks wrong, or your vision changes suddenly, see an eye-care professional. Medical disclaimer
What surgeons look for
Laser vision correction reshapes the cornea, the clear front window of the eye, so it focuses light properly. To do that safely you need a stable prescription, a cornea thick and regular enough to reshape, a healthy tear film and no conditions that slow healing. A consultation measures all of this with corneal mapping (topography) and thickness scans.
The main procedures
- LASIK: a thin flap is made, the laser reshapes the cornea beneath, and the flap is laid back. Fast recovery.
- SMILE: a small piece of tissue is removed through a tiny incision, with no flap.
- PRK: the surface layer is removed and grows back. Longer recovery, but no flap, so it suits thin corneas and contact sports.
- ICL: a lens is placed inside the eye in front of your natural lens. Suits very high prescriptions and thin corneas.
- Refractive lens exchange: the natural lens is replaced, usually for people over about 50.
See our full comparison for recovery times, costs and risks.
Questions people ask
What disqualifies you from LASIK?
Common reasons include being under 18, a prescription that is still changing, thin or irregular corneas such as keratoconus, severe dry eye, pregnancy, some autoimmune diseases and uncontrolled diabetes. Other procedures may still work.
Is LASIK permanent?
The corneal reshaping is permanent, but the eye can still change with age. Most people need reading glasses in their 40s or later, and a small number need an enhancement.
How much does LASIK cost?
In the US it commonly runs about $1,500 to $3,000 per eye. Use our cost calculator to compare it with glasses and contacts over time.