Am I a Good LASIK Candidate? Complete Eligibility Guide

Am I a Good LASIK Candidate?

Not everyone is suitable for LASIK surgery. Dr. Ahmed Sherif at Dar El Oyoun Hospital evaluates multiple factors to determine candidacy.

Ideal LASIK Candidate Criteria

Age Requirements

Minimum Age: 18 years old

Eyes must be fully developed

Vision prescription must be stable

Optimal Age: 25-40 years

Most stable prescriptions

Best healing response

Lowest risk of age-related changes

Over 40: Still possible but considerations include:

Presbyopia (reading vision decline)

May still need reading glasses

Monovision or blended vision options available

Prescription Requirements

#### Myopia (Nearsightedness)

Treatable range: up to -10.00 diopters

Best results: -1.00 to -6.00 diopters

Higher prescriptions may require more corneal tissue removal

#### Hyperopia (Farsightedness)

Treatable range: up to +6.00 diopters

Best results: +1.00 to +3.00 diopters

#### Astigmatism

Treatable range: up to 6.00 diopters

Can be corrected alone or with myopia/hyperopia

Prescription Stability

No significant change (>0.50 diopters) for minimum 1 year

Preferably 2 years of stability

Demonstrates fully developed eyes

Corneal Health Requirements

Adequate Corneal Thickness

Minimum 480-500 microns typically required

Average cornea: 540-550 microns

Must retain enough tissue post-surgery for structural integrity

Why It Matters:

LASIK removes corneal tissue

Too thin = increased risk of ectasia (bulging)

Alternative procedures (PRK, ICL) may be better

Healthy Corneal Shape

Regular, smooth curvature

No keratoconus (cone-shaped cornea)

No significant irregularities

Assessed via corneal topography at Dar El Oyoun

General Eye Health

Healthy Eyes Required

✓ No active eye infections or inflammation

✓ No significant dry eye syndrome

✓ No cataracts or glaucoma

✓ No retinal problems

✓ No corneal scarring or dystrophies

Manageable Conditions

Some conditions can be treated before LASIK:

Mild dry eye (treated with drops, plugs)

Minor conjunctivitis (treated first)

Controlled ocular allergies

Medical Health Factors

Systemic Conditions

Disqualifying Conditions:

Uncontrolled diabetes

Autoimmune diseases (lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, Sjögren's)

Immunodeficiency disorders

Active connective tissue disorders

Manageable Conditions:

Well-controlled diabetes

Controlled hypertension

Stable thyroid conditions

Medications

Potentially Problematic:

Isotretinoin (Accutane) - must be off 6+ months

Amiodarone (heart medication)

High-dose corticosteroids

Immunosuppressants

Discuss all medications with Dr. Sherif during consultation.

Lifestyle Factors

Pregnancy and Nursing

LASIK not recommended during pregnancy

Not recommended while breastfeeding

Hormones affect vision prescription

Wait 3+ months after cessation of nursing

Occupation and Activities

Ideal Candidates:

Desire for spectacle-free lifestyle

Active lifestyle, sports participation

Occupations incompatible with glasses/contacts (pilots, military)

Poor Candidates:

Those in occupations with high eye injury risk without proper protection

Unrealistic expectations about outcomes

Psychological Readiness

Realistic Expectations

Understand that LASIK:

Aims for 20/20 or better (98% success at Dar El Oyoun)

May not achieve perfect vision in all cases

May require reading glasses after 40

Small enhancement rate (3-5%)

Motivation

Good reasons for LASIK:

✓ Lifestyle improvement

✓ Career requirements

✓ Sports and activities

✓ Contact lens intolerance

Poor reasons:

✗ Pressure from others

✗ Unrealistic beauty standards

✗ Expecting perfection

✗ Impulsive decision

Special Circumstances

Previous Eye Surgery

Prior LASIK: Enhancement may be possible

Cataract surgery: Timing and lens type matter

RK (Radial Keratotomy): May affect candidacy

Dr. Sherif assesses on case-by-case basis

Large Pupils

Measured in dim lighting

Pupils >6-7mm may have increased night vision symptoms

Wavefront-guided LASIK helps minimize issues

The Dar El Oyoun Evaluation Process

Dr. Ahmed Sherif conducts a comprehensive pre-operative assessment:

1. Medical History Review

2. Visual Acuity Testing

3. Refraction Assessment

4. Corneal Topography

5. Pachymetry (Thickness Measurement)

6. Pupil Size Evaluation

7. Dry Eye Assessment

8. Dilated Eye Exam

9. Wavefront Analysis

Alternative Options

If not a LASIK candidate, Dr. Sherif may recommend:

PRK: For thin corneas

ICL (Implantable Contact Lens): For high prescriptions

SMILE: Newer, less invasive procedure

Glasses/Contacts: If surgery not appropriate

Take the Next Step

The only way to know for certain if you're a LASIK candidate is a comprehensive evaluation.

Schedule your consultation at Dar El Oyoun:

Sheikh Zayed: +20 2 37963013

Dokki: +20 2 33382136

WhatsApp: +201066479644

Dr. Ahmed Sherif's 20+ years of experience ensures accurate candidacy assessment and optimal treatment recommendations.