Who is a good candidate for LASIK?Hi, it’s Matt Russell from VSON Laser Vision Specialists. Are you suitable for LASIK? A good LASIK candidate is someone who meets specific patient criteria.Your eyes must be healthy and free from any severe dry eye syndrome, conjunctivitis (pink eye), infection or any type of eye injury.Your cornea must have sufficient thickness – Performing laser eye surgery on a cornea that is too thin or has a highly irregular surface and misshapen could compromise results and impair your vision. If your cornea is too thin for LASIK, there are other options.Your pupils must not be too large – On the other hand, if your pupils are naturally large, you could be at increased risk of side effects such as halos, glares and starbursts in low light, especially when driving at night.Your prescription must be within certain limits – Your eye surgeon may advise you against the LASIK procedure if your prescription is very high – due to short-sightedness, long-sightedness or astigmatism.If you have a severe refractive error, another surgery may be better suited – Results of LASIK surgery for the treatment of very high refractive errors are less predictable and may not be worth the cost and potential risks. If you have a severe refractive error, another type of vision correction surgery may be a better option, such as phakic IOL implantable lenses or refractive lens exchange.You must be old enough – Certain procedures require you to be 18 years old; others, 21. Patients younger than this can be treated as an exception at the discretion of the LASIK surgeon with permission from the patient’s parent(s) or guardian.If you’re over 40, age-related conditions may still occur – Generally, there is no upper age limit to laser eye surgery. However, it is important to note that once you hit your 40s, you may still need reading glasses to correct near vision due to a normal, age-related condition called presbyopia.You should have stable vision – Teenagers and many young adults often experience changes in their contact lens prescription and eyeglass prescription from year to year. Therefore, it’s important for refractive errors to be stable for at least 12 months before undergoing LASIK or other refractive surgery.You must be in good health – If your body has trouble healing, you will have a higher risk of an unsatisfactory LASIK surgery outcome.If you are pregnant, you should delay surgery – The LASIK procedure is not suitable if you are pregnant or nursing. Hormonal changes can alter the shape of your cornea, leading to temporary changes in your vision.You must have realistic expectations – While the vast majority of LASIK surgery results are excellent, you should be fully aware of the possible side effects, risks and potential LASIK complications before you choose to undergo the procedure.To learn more about who is a good candidate for LASIK and to free yourself from glasses or contact lenses, please book online for a free laser vision assessment on our website today.Found this post useful? Please share!Home » LASIK » Who is a good candidate for LASIK? Search for: ARE YOU SUITABLE?Check your laser eye surgery suitability online with our free LASIK self-testTAKE SUITABILITY SELF-TESTOUR MOST POPULAR PROCEDURESLASIKSmartSightICLLens ReplacementPRKRefractive cataract surgeryFAQsWHAT OUR PATIENTS SAY…“Very friendly and professional staff. Dr Russell is extremely informative and has a really positive presence. The doctor and all of the staff ensured all my questions were answered fully. I left the surgery feeling as if I’d been really well cared for.”Suzanne Cooper“The staff are all friendly and helpful.”Alana Jenkins“Dr. Russell and the entire team should be commended for their genuine care and personal attention. They made every possible effort to explain and clarify the treatment required and made sure I was comfortable through the consultation treatment.”Xerxes Meher“I was very impressed with the way they run things. It is a well-oiled machine. Everyone knew exactly what they were doing and were very friendly. To top it off, my treatment was excellent.”Iris Van Quickelberghe“Dr. Russell is my hubby’s specialist for years. We love him. Such a kind person and always spends time to explain everything.”Zita Farczadi Kershaw“Highly recommended. They are always helpful and friendly and the outcomes have been beyond my expectations.”Brad Gooda“Many thanks for your care and skill and a big thanks to all your staff for their friendly care and professionalism shown each time I have visited.”Henry Ellison“My wife came to see Dr Russell today and we wanted to say thank you to all the staff for the kind and professional service. We are also extremely grateful for Dr Russell’s generosity when it came to us paying for the consultation. We wanted to reach out and say thank you so much!”Troy and Liana ToddWe have replaced the images of real patients who provided these testimonials to protect their privacy.DISCOVER IF YOU CAN BE FREE FROM GLASSES AND CONTACT LENSESThe best way to find out if lens surgery is right for you is to have an in-person assessment. You’ll get a clear answer from our experts on your suitability and vision correction optionsBOOK A FREE ASSESSMENTHi, I’m Dr. Matthew Russell, your laser and cataract surgery specialistHI I’M DR. MATTHEW RUSSELL YOUR LASER EYE AND CATARACT SURGERY SPECIALISTWith over 15 years of experience, I enjoy the privilege of helping patients of all ages reclaim clear vision or preserve it for as long as possible.Vision correction and high-precision cataract surgery hinge on the expertise and skill set of the provider who also has access to the most precise tools for the job. Ophthalmic surgeons like me know how to make treatment safe, comfortable and positive for the patient. They know how to minimise the risk of complications and maximise successful outcomes.I have a passion for helping my patients enjoy the clear, high-definition vision they need to live rich and active lives. Now, I have hand-picked a team of professionals that share my passion and commitment to exceptional care.Dr. Matthew RussellMBChB, FRANZCO MORE ABOUT DR. RUSSELL