Am I a candidate for laser eye surgery?
10 questions to assess your profile — LASIK, PRK, SMILE or phakic implant depending on your case.
Understanding your result
What this test assesses — and what it cannot
The questionnaire above cross-checks the four parameters that weigh most heavily on the decision: your age, the stability of your prescription, your ocular history and your general health. These are the same items an ophthalmologist reviews at the start of a consultation.
It remains an estimate. Three decisive measurements cannot be recalled from memory: the thickness of your cornea, the regularity of its surface and the quality of your tear film. They are measured in the office, by topography, pachymetry and aberrometry. It is the preoperative assessment that settles the indication, never a questionnaire.
A favourable result therefore means « nothing appears to stand in the way », not « you can be operated on ». An unfavourable result means « one point needs examining », not « the answer is no ».
An unfavourable criterion is not a refusal
The useful distinction is not between eligible and ineligible, but between what waits, what is treated and what redirects.
What waits. Pregnancy, breastfeeding, recent hormone treatment: refraction and tear film change, and preoperative measurements become unreliable. Surgery is postponed, not cancelled. The same logic applies to isotretinoin treatment, or to a prescription that has shifted this year: the assessment is repeated later.
What is treated. Moderate dry eye is managed before surgery. Its treatment is usually part of the pathway rather than an interruption of it.
What redirects. A thin cornea, even early keratoconus, myopia outside the laser’s range: here the criterion does not close off surgery, it changes the technique.
If LASIK is not indicated: the three available routes
This is the most common misunderstanding in consultation. LASIK is one technique among several, not the only way in.
- Thin cornea, contact sport, occupation exposed to impacts: PRK works at the surface and creates no corneal flap. SMILE, also flap-free, answers some of these situations.
- Myopia beyond -8 to -10 dioptres: the phakic ICL implant corrects without removing corneal tissue, and remains reversible.
- Established presbyopia or early cataract: lens surgery with an implant treats both in a single procedure.
The choice is made in consultation, based on your measurements and your daily activities. The fees for each technique are listed on the refractive surgery cost page. The procedure itself takes place in the operating theatre of the Clinique Laser Victor Hugo for laser, or of the Clinique Sainte-Geneviève for the phakic ICL implant and lens surgery.
Frequently asked questions
Frequently asked questions about eligibility for laser eye surgery
This article is for information purposes. A personalised ophthalmological opinion remains essential for any treatment decision.
The criteria assessed by this test
The test above is based on the following criteria, given for information only: only a preoperative assessment can reach a conclusion.
What is your age?
Refractive surgery is possible from the age of 18 if vision is stable; after 45, presbyopia comes into play.
- Under 18 years — Wait for vision to stabilise
- 18 to 21 years — Possible if vision is stable
- 22 to 45 years — Favourable age for refractive surgery
- 46 to 55 years — Presbyopia to anticipate
- Over 55 years — Assessment of the lens advised
Has your correction changed over the last 12 months?
Stable vision for at least one year is essential.
- No, perfectly stable
- Very slightly (< 0.5 D) — Acceptable for most cases
- From 0.5 to 1 D — Assessment advised after a further 6 months
- More than 1 D — Vision not stabilised — postpone
- I don't know
What is your main vision problem?
You can select several. Short-sightedness and long-sightedness cannot be combined.
- Short-sightedness (myopia) — You see blurred at distance
- Long-sightedness (hyperopia) — Blurred near vision (and distance if high degree)
- Astigmatism alone — Distorted vision at all distances
- Presbyopia — You need glasses to read
What is the strongest power of your correction?
Check your prescription or the power of your lenses (expressed in dioptres).
- Less than 2 dioptres — LASIK and PRK suitable
- 2 to 6 dioptres — Ideal range for the laser
- 6 to 10 dioptres — LASIK or SMILE depending on the cornea
- 10 to 14 dioptres — Phakic ICL implant recommended
- More than 14 dioptres — Phakic implant or combination
- I don't know — Not sure? Check the label on your lenses or your latest prescription
Do you have any particular eye history?
Some conditions are a contraindication to the laser, but other techniques may remain possible.
- No previous condition
- Moderate dry eye — PRK or SMILE preserve the tear film better than LASIK.
- Severe dry eye — Dry-eye treatment is required before any laser surgery.
- Keratoconus / fragile cornea — Laser contraindicated, but alternatives exist
- Glaucoma / ocular hypertension — Specialist assessment mandatory
- Previous eye surgery — Case-by-case evaluation
Are you pregnant, breastfeeding, or undergoing hormonal treatment?
Hormonal variations can alter vision and healing. Surgery will simply be postponed.
- Not applicable to me
- Pregnant or breastfeeding — Surgery to be postponed 3 to 6 months after the end of breastfeeding
- Pregnancy planned within < 6 months — Waiting recommended
- Hormonal treatment (assisted reproduction, recent contraception) — Assessment after stabilisation
Your general health
Some conditions or treatments slow down healing or affect the examination.
- Good health, no treatment
- Well-controlled diabetes (HbA1c < 7 %) — Surgery possible with follow-up
- Poorly controlled diabetes — Stabilise the diabetes first
- Autoimmune disease (lupus, arthritis, MS) — Individual assessment required
- Immunosuppressive treatment — Case-by-case evaluation
- Roaccutane (isotretinoin) ongoing — To postpone: dryness and altered healing
- Roaccutane stopped less than a year ago — A waiting period is recommended before the laser
Do you take part in a contact sport or a high-risk occupation?
Boxing, martial arts, rugby, firefighter, military, pilot: PRK or SMILE (without a corneal flap) are preferred.
- No, neither contact sport nor high-risk occupation
- Moderate sport (running, swimming, cycling)
- Regular contact or combat sport — PRK or SMILE recommended
- High-risk occupation (firefighter, military, pilot) — Specific standards — PRK often required
Do you wear contact lenses?
Rigid lenses require a longer break before the assessment (so the cornea can return to its natural shape).
- I do not wear lenses
- Soft lenses — Stop 48 to 72h before the assessment
- Rigid lenses — Stop 1 week before the assessment
- Orthokeratology (ortho-K) — Stop about 1 month before the assessment
- Lens intolerance — Strong motivation — an excellent indicator
What is your main motivation?
Your goal influences the choice of technique and protocol.
- Everyday freedom (sport, travel)
- Intolerance to lenses or glasses
- Professional requirement
- Aesthetic reasons / comfort
- Simple curiosity, information
Possible outcomes according to your profile
Very favourable profile
All the conditions appear to be met to benefit from refractive surgery. A preoperative assessment will confirm the most suitable technique.
Favourable profile
Your profile is compatible with refractive surgery. A few points will require particular attention during the assessment.
Eligibility to be checked
Some elements of your profile require an in-depth evaluation. Alternative techniques (PRK, SMILE, phakic implant) often remain possible.
Personalised assessment recommended
Your profile calls for a specialist consultation to identify the best option. Dr Tourabaly can propose suitable alternatives.
Laser contraindicated — other solutions exist
In cases of keratoconus, laser surgery (LASIK, PRK, SMILE) is contraindicated: it would weaken the cornea. Other treatments — cross-linking, intracorneal ring segments, phakic implant — stabilise the condition and improve vision.
LASIK
The standard technique, recovery in 24-48 h, under local anaesthesia with eye drops. Ideal for the majority of corrections.
Cross-linking (CXL) ± intracorneal ring segments
In cases of keratoconus, the laser (LASIK, PRK, SMILE) is contraindicated. Corneal cross-linking (CXL) strengthens the cornea and stabilises its progression; depending on the case, intracorneal ring segments (ICRS) regularise the cornea and improve vision. A phakic implant (ICL) can then correct any residual short-sightedness.
Phakic implant (ICL) or LASIK
For high short-sightedness, two possible routes: the phakic implant (ICL) preserves the cornea and gives excellent visual quality, often preferred above 10 dioptres; LASIK remains possible depending on the thickness and topography of your cornea. The choice is made at the work-up.
PresbyLASIK or multifocal implant
For isolated presbyopia, there are several options: PresbyLASIK (before 55 years) or a multifocal implant (after 55 years, a lasting solution that also treats the future cataract).
ICL or LASIK
After the age of 55, correction is still possible with the laser (LASIK) or a phakic implant (ICL), depending on your cornea and the amount of correction. Lens surgery (implant), which also treats the future cataract, can also be discussed: the choice is made at the work-up.
LASIK (after stopping Roaccutane)
While on isotretinoin (Roaccutane), refractive surgery is postponed: this treatment dries out the eye and alters healing. PRK is not advised in this context (risk of corneal haze). After at least one year off the treatment and in the absence of dryness, LASIK is the preferred technique. The tear film will be checked at the work-up before surgery.
PRK
Without a corneal flap, PRK is better suited to contact-sport athletes and high-risk occupations (firefighter, military, pilot), where it is often required. Below 2 dioptres, SMILE is not suitable.
PRK or SMILE
Without a corneal flap, these techniques are better suited to contact-sport athletes and high-risk occupations (firefighter, military, pilot). PRK is in fact often required.
SMILE or PRK
In cases of dry eye, SMILE (minimally invasive incision) or PRK (without a flap) are preferable to LASIK in order to preserve corneal innervation.
LASIK (hyperopia)
For hyperopia, LASIK is the reference technique, backed by long-term data. SMILE can also correct it on the latest platforms, but with limited follow-up so far: the choice is made at your work-up, based on your cornea.
LASIK or SMILE
For a strong correction (6-10 D), SMILE or LASIK are both indicated, depending on the thickness and topography of your cornea.