Not every patient interested in LASIK or SMILE is automatically a candidate — a real pre-op evaluation determines this, but here's the general framework to understand before you get there.
Core candidacy factors
- Age: Generally 18 or older, with many surgeons preferring closer to your mid-20s once vision has more reliably stabilized
- Prescription stability: Your prescription should have been stable (unchanged) for at least a year, ideally longer
- Corneal thickness: Sufficient corneal tissue is needed for either flap-based or flapless correction — this is measured during evaluation, not something you can assess yourself
- Overall eye health: No active corneal disease, uncontrolled dry eye, or certain other eye conditions
- General health: Certain autoimmune conditions or pregnancy can affect candidacy or timing
Candidacy is determined by objective measurement — corneal mapping, thickness measurement, and a full eye exam — not by how you feel about your vision or a quick online quiz. A thorough in-person or remote-reviewed evaluation is the only real way to confirm candidacy.
Common disqualifying or complicating factors
- Very thin corneas — though this may still allow SMILE or PRK even if traditional LASIK isn't appropriate
- Uncontrolled or severe dry eye
- Certain autoimmune or connective tissue conditions
- Unstable or still-changing prescription
What happens if you're not a straightforward candidate
Being told you're not an immediate candidate for one specific technology doesn't necessarily mean no refractive surgery option exists — see our LASIK vs. PRK guide for an alternative worth discussing with your surgeon.
What to bring to your consultation
Your prescription history if available, and honest information about any dry eye symptoms or relevant health conditions — a thorough, honest intake conversation is what makes candidacy evaluation accurate.
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