Who Is a Good Candidate for LASIK Eye Surgery in London?

06 Nov 2026

You're likely to be a good candidate for LASIK eye surgery in London if you're an adult with a stable prescription, healthy eyes and corneas thick enough for treatment. Most people who are short-sighted, long-sighted or have astigmatism fall into that group.

The only way to know for sure is a consultation with full scans. This guide explains what we look for and what we suggest when LASIK isn't the right fit.

Who is a good candidate for LASIK eye surgery?

The best candidates usually tick most of these boxes:

Over 18, with eyes that have finished changing
A prescription that's been stable for at least a year
Corneas thick enough for a safe flap
Healthy eyes, with no active eye disease
Not pregnant or breastfeeding
Realistic expectations about what laser treatment can and can't do

Your job, hobbies and how much time you spend on screens matter too. They help your surgeon decide between LASIK and other options.

What we check at your consultation

Suitability for LASIK eye surgery in London, or anywhere else, is based on detailed measurements, not age or prescription alone. At your consultation we measure your corneal thickness, map the shape of the corneal surface, check your exact prescription and eye pressure, and dilate your pupils to look at the inside of your eye. We also look at your tear quality, because dry eyes affect both comfort and results.

If you wear contact lenses, stop at least three weeks before the scans for rigid gas-permeable lenses, or at least three days for other types. Lenses change the shape of the cornea slightly, which would skew the results.

What can rule you out of LASIK?

These are the most common reasons we recommend something other than LASIK:

Thin or irregular corneas
A prescription that's still changing
Pregnancy or breastfeeding, when hormones can change your prescription for a while
Significant dry eye
Certain eye conditions, such as keratoconus
A very high prescription

Being ruled out of LASIK rarely means being ruled out of treatment. It usually means a different treatment is safer.

LASEK and TransPRK

These treat the surface of the cornea without making a flap. They're often the better choice for thinner corneas, and for people who play contact sports, since there's no flap to be knocked. Results are similar to LASIK, though recovery takes a few days longer.

ICL

An implantable contact lens sits inside the eye and suits high prescriptions and thin corneas. We use EVO Visian ICL lenses.

Lens replacement

If you're over 40, lens replacement can correct your distance vision and reduce your need for reading glasses, and you won't develop cataracts later.

Not everyone is suitable, and that honesty is part of what makes it safe.

Is there a minimum or maximum age for LASIK?

The minimum is 18, and many surgeons prefer to wait until your early twenties if your prescription is still moving. There's no fixed upper age. What changes is the conversation.

From your mid-40s, almost everyone starts to need reading glasses, and standard LASIK won't stop that. If you're in that group, we may talk about Blended Vision or PresbyMAX, which treat each eye slightly differently so you can see near and far, or lens replacement. If you're starting to develop cataracts, lens surgery is usually the better route.

Am I too short-sighted for LASIK?

Possibly, but not always. LASIK can correct higher prescriptions than most people expect, provided your corneas are thick enough. If they aren't, ICL is usually the answer. Your scans settle it.

The question behind the question

"When someone asks me if they're a good candidate, what they usually want to know is whether I'll be honest if they're not. I will. I'd rather tell a patient LASIK isn't right for them and suggest LASEK or ICL than treat eyes that aren't suited to it. Saying no is part of the job, and patients tend to trust the yes more because of it."
Dr Amir Mani

Treatment at Optimal Vision is led by consultant ophthalmic surgeons, including Dr Amir Mani (MD, MRCSEd, FRCOphth, Cert LRS), who has performed more than 35,000 ophthalmic procedures.

What does LASIK eye surgery in London cost?

LASIK at Optimal Vision starts from £1,250 per eye, based on treating both eyes. That's a starting price, and the final cost can vary from patient to patient depending on your eyes and prescription. See our laser eye surgery costs page for what's included, or read our guide to what you actually pay for with LASIK in London, which breaks down what moves the price and how to compare one quote with another.

Happy LASIK patient four weeks after surgery at Optimal Vision London — A patient four weeks after LASIK at Optimal Vision.

Having LASIK eye surgery in London at our Gower Street clinic

Our London clinic is at 7 Gower Street, WC1E 6HA, at the Bedford Square end of the street in Bloomsbury. Goodge Street station is about five minutes' walk away, and Tottenham Court Road, on the Elizabeth line, is a short walk south. We're open Monday to Friday from 9am to 6pm and Saturdays from 9am to 4pm. Our wider laser eye treatment in London also covers LASEK, TransPRK and PresbyMAX.

Find out if you're suitable

The quickest way to know whether you're a good candidate for LASIK eye surgery in London is a consultation with full scans. Your LASIK consultation and scans are free.

Call 020 7183 3725 or book your consultation online.

Frequently asked questions

Who is a good candidate for LASIK eye surgery?

Adults with a stable prescription, healthy eyes and corneas thick enough for a flap. Your scans confirm it.

What eye conditions or prescriptions disqualify someone from LASIK?

Thin or irregular corneas, keratoconus, significant dry eye, an unstable prescription and pregnancy are the most common. A very high prescription may also point to ICL instead.

Is there a minimum or maximum age for LASIK eye surgery?

You need to be at least 18. There's no fixed maximum, but from your mid-40s other treatments may suit your eyes better.

Can I have LASIK if I have astigmatism?

Usually, yes. LASIK corrects astigmatism by reshaping the cornea.

How long does a LASIK consultation take?

Allow time for full scans and a conversation with your surgeon. Your pupils will be dilated, so don't plan to drive home.

Who Is a Good Candidate for LASIK Eye Surgery in London?

Who is a good candidate for LASIK eye surgery?

What we check at your consultation

What can rule you out of LASIK?

LASEK and TransPRK

ICL

Lens replacement

Is there a minimum or maximum age for LASIK?

Am I too short-sighted for LASIK?

The question behind the question

What does LASIK eye surgery in London cost?

Having LASIK eye surgery in London at our Gower Street clinic

Find out if you're suitable

Frequently asked questions

Who is a good candidate for LASIK eye surgery?

What eye conditions or prescriptions disqualify someone from LASIK?

Is there a minimum or maximum age for LASIK eye surgery?

Can I have LASIK if I have astigmatism?

How long does a LASIK consultation take?

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