Am I suitable for flapless laser eye surgery?

Hi, it’s Dr Russell from VSON. When I tell people I’m a LASIK surgeon, some ask me: “Am I suitable for flapless laser eye surgery?”.

An ophthalmic surgeon can determine if you are a candidate for SmartSight surgery, also known as flapless laser eye surgery. This is the best way to ascertain if you’re a suitable candidate.

An initial assessment is required to uncover your eligibility, and what’s more, at VSON, our assessments are completely free.

In order to determine whether you’re a good candidate for the procedure, I will first ask you questions about your medical history, as well as your lifestyle.

Such questions will help us to gauge whether you’re suited to SmartSight surgery, or whether perhaps there is another, more appropriate eye surgery to fit your needs.

As a general rule, you should be accepted for SmartSight surgery if you fit the following criteria:

• Are at least 18 years of age
• Have short-sightedness and your prescription falls within 0.50 to -10.00 dioptres
• Have astigmatism and your prescription falls within +/- 0.50 to +/- 6.00 dioptres
• Have a prescription that hasn’t changed in at least a year
• Have thinner than average corneas
• Participate in contact sports such as football or rugby
• Have a career whereby recovery needs to be safe and quick, such as if you’re a pilot or policeman or woman
• Have difficulty or cannot use contact lenses

To learn more about laser eye surgery, or if you have any questions, schedule a free assessment at VSON here