Am I a Good Candidate for LASIK? | Wright Eye Center
Wondering if you’re a good candidate for LASIK? Learn the seven factors we evaluate and take
our free online LASIK candidate quiz.
Am I a Good Candidate for LASIK?
If you’ve been thinking about LASIK, you’ve probably asked yourself one question:
“Am I actually a good candidate?”
The truth is, the only way to know for sure is through a comprehensive evaluation. While many people are excellent candidates for LASIK, others may achieve better results with PRK, EVO ICL, refractive lens exchange (RLE), or even by waiting until the timing is right. At Wright Eye Center, our goal isn’t to recommend LASIK for everyone—it’s to recommend the procedure that’s safest and most likely to provide the best long-term vision for your eyes. This article explains exactly what we look for during every LASIK evaluation.
Wondering If You’re a Candidate?
Before scheduling an appointment, you can take our free online LASIK Candidate Quiz. It
takes just a few minutes and can help determine whether LASIK, PRK, EVO ICL, or another
option may be right for you.
👉 Take the LASIK Candidate Quiz
If your results suggest you’re a good candidate, the next step is a complimentary LASIK
screening with our team.
- Is Your Prescription Stable?
One of the first things we evaluate is whether your prescription has been stable. LASIK permanently reshapes your cornea to correct your current prescription. If your eyes are
still changing, your vision may continue to change after surgery. In general, we like to see:
● A stable prescription for at least one year
● Healthy vision without rapid fluctuations
● A prescription within the range LASIK can safely treat
If your prescription has changed recently, that doesn’t necessarily mean you’ll never qualify—it
may simply mean waiting a little longer. - Is Your Cornea Healthy?
This is arguably the most important part of determining LASIK candidacy.
Your cornea is the clear front window of your eye. During LASIK, we reshape this tissue with an
excimer laser.
At Wright Eye Center, every LASIK evaluation includes detailed corneal imaging that measures:
● Corneal thickness
● Corneal curvature
● Corneal shape
● Signs of early corneal weakness
● Overall corneal health
Some patients have completely normal vision and an excellent glasses prescription but still
aren’t safe LASIK candidates because of subtle corneal abnormalities. These issues usually cannot be detected during a routine eye exam. Patient safety always comes first. - Are Your Eyes Otherwise Healthy?
LASIK treats refractive error—it doesn’t treat every eye disease. We’ll carefully evaluate your eyes for conditions such as:
● Cataracts
● Glaucoma
● Macular degeneration
● Corneal disease
● Retinal problems
● Keratoconus
● Significant dry eye
Sometimes another eye condition should be treated before considering refractive surgery. - How Healthy Is Your Tear Film?
Dry eye is one of the most overlooked parts of a LASIK evaluation. Many people living in Colorado already have mild dry eye because of our:
● Low humidity
● High altitude
● Wind
● Year-round sunshine
LASIK can temporarily worsen dryness while your eyes heal.
If significant dry eye is present, we’ll often recommend improving the ocular surface before
surgery. Doing so can improve:
● Comfort
● Healing
● Vision quality
● Measurement accuracy
● Long-term satisfaction
Treating dry eye first often leads to a better overall LASIK experience. - Age Matters—But Not the Way Most People Think
Many patients ask if they’re too young or too old for LASIK. Age alone rarely determines candidacy. Instead, we consider:
● Prescription stability
● Your need for reading glasses
● Lens changes inside the eye
● Your visual goals
● Overall eye health
Patients over 40 are often still excellent candidates for LASIK, although some may benefit more
from another vision correction procedure depending on their goals. - Your Lifestyle Helps Determine the Best Procedure
Choosing the right vision correction procedure isn’t just about your prescription.
We also want to know how you use your eyes every day. Some examples include:
● Skiing
● Snowboarding
● Mountain biking
● Hiking
● Golf
● Running
● Swimming
● Law enforcement
● Military service
● Healthcare
● Computer work
A patient who spends every weekend skiing in the Colorado mountains may have different visual priorities than someone who spends most of the day working at a computer.
Our recommendations are personalized to your lifestyle—not just your prescription. - Sometimes the Best Recommendation Is Not LASIK
This surprises many patients.
Not everyone who wants LASIK should have LASIK.
Sometimes we recommend:
● PRK
● EVO ICL
● Refractive Lens Exchange (RLE)
● Waiting until your prescription stabilizes
● No surgery at all
Our philosophy is simple:
We recommend the procedure we’d feel comfortable recommending to our own family members.
If LASIK isn’t the safest option, we’ll explain why and discuss alternatives that may better fit your
eyes and your goals.
What Happens During a LASIK Evaluation?
Your consultation is designed to answer one important question:
What’s the safest and best way to reduce your dependence on glasses or contact lenses?
Your visit includes:
● Comprehensive eye examination
● Vision testing
● Corneal imaging
● Measurement of your prescription
● Tear film evaluation
● Discussion of your lifestyle and goals
● Personalized treatment recommendations
By the end of your visit, you’ll understand:
● Whether you’re a LASIK candidate
● If another procedure is a better fit
● What results you can realistically expect
● The next steps if you decide to move forward
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I know if I’m a good candidate for LASIK?
The best way to find out is through a comprehensive evaluation. Factors such as your
prescription, corneal health, tear film, age, and overall eye health all play a role.
Does wearing contact lenses affect LASIK?
Yes. Contact lenses can temporarily change the shape of your cornea, which is why we’ll ask
you to stop wearing them before your evaluation for a specific period of time depending on the
type of lenses you wear.
Can LASIK correct astigmatism?
Yes. LASIK commonly treats both nearsightedness and astigmatism, provided your eyes are
healthy and your prescription falls within safe treatment ranges.
What if I’m not a LASIK candidate?
Many patients who aren’t ideal LASIK candidates are excellent candidates for PRK, EVO ICL, or
refractive lens exchange. We’ll explain all of your options.
Is the evaluation free?
Wright Eye Center offers a complimentary LASIK screening to help determine whether you’re
a candidate before moving forward with additional testing.
Take Our Free LASIK Candidate Quiz
Not quite ready to schedule a visit?
Our online LASIK Candidate Quiz takes just a few minutes to complete and can help you
understand whether LASIK or another vision correction procedure may be right for you.
👉 Take the Quiz
Ready to Learn More?
Every patient—and every eye—is different. That’s why there isn’t a one-size-fits-all answer to
whether LASIK is right for you.
At Wright Eye Center, we’ll take the time to understand your vision, evaluate your eye health
using advanced diagnostic technology, and recommend the treatment that offers the safest path
to your best possible vision.
Whether that’s LASIK, PRK, EVO ICL, or another option, our goal is simple: to help you make
an informed decision with confidence.
Take our free online LASIK Candidate Quiz or schedule your complimentary LASIK
screening to get started.