Is LASIK Safe? Eligibility, Risks and Who Should Consider It

May 17, 2026

Ask any eye clinic about the most common question after “How much does LASIK cost?”, and the answer is usually some version of “Is LASIK safe?” It is a fair question. The eye is a precious organ, and laser surgery on it sounds dramatic, even if the procedure is short and well-established.

The short answer is that LASIK is considered safe for suitable candidates, with high success rates and a low complication rate. The fuller answer lives in the details: who is a suitable candidate, who should not have LASIK, what the risks are, and how to prepare sensibly.

What Is LASIK?

LASIK, or laser-assisted in situ keratomileusis, is a procedure that reshapes the cornea using a laser to correct myopia, hyperopia, and astigmatism. The cornea is the clear front of the eye, and changing its curvature changes how light is focused onto the retina.

The procedure involves:

Numbing drops
Creating a thin flap in the cornea
Reshaping the underlying tissue with an excimer laser
Repositioning the flap
A quick follow-up the next day

Each eye takes about 10 minutes. Both are usually done the same day. Many patients see clearly within 24 hours.

Who Is Eligible for LASIK?

Typical eligibility criteria include:

Age 18 or above
Stable refractive prescription for at least 12 months
Healthy cornea of adequate thickness
No significant eye disease (glaucoma, advanced cataract, severe dry eye)
Realistic expectations
Good general health
No pregnancy or breastfeeding at the time of surgery

Pre-operative tests, not age alone, decide final eligibility.

Who Should Not Get LASIK?

1. Unstable prescription

Patients whose glasses prescription is still changing, usually those below 18 or in their late teens with increasing myopia.

2. Very thin corneas

Not enough tissue to reshape safely.

3. Keratoconus or suspected keratoconus

LASIK is contraindicated in keratoconus.

4. Severe dry eye

Surgery can worsen symptoms.

5. Severe allergic or autoimmune eye disease

Inflammation can affect healing.

6. Active or recent eye infection

Needs to settle first.

7. Uncontrolled diabetes

Wound healing is affected.

8. Certain systemic autoimmune diseases

Lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, Sjögren’s, and Hashimoto’s may need individual assessment.

9. Pregnancy and breastfeeding

Hormonal changes can affect prescription stability.

10. Very high refractive errors beyond a safe threshold

Alternatives such as ICL may be safer.

11. Certain occupations with sudden impact risk

Case-by-case decision.

12. Very small pupils or abnormal eye anatomy

Addressed in individual assessment.

Supportive eye treatments can improve some conditions (like dry eye or allergy) to a point where LASIK becomes suitable later.

What Are the Common Risks of LASIK?

Most are short-term and manageable.

Dry eye

The most common side effect. Usually improves over 3-6 months. Preservative-free lubricating drops help.

Glare and halos at night

Common in the first few weeks. Settles for most patients.

Under-correction or over-correction

A small proportion need an enhancement procedure.

Flap complications

Rare with modern femtosecond laser. Include flap folds, dislodgement, or epithelial ingrowth.

Infection

Very rare; strict hygiene and eye drops prevent it.

Visual fluctuation

Vision can be variable during the first few weeks.

Ectasia

A rare, late complication where the cornea becomes unstable. Pre-operative tests reduce the risk significantly.

Residual astigmatism

Some moderate astigmatism may remain.

Loss of quality of vision

In a small number of patients, sharpness in low-light conditions may be affected.

What Can You Get LASIK With?

Hashimoto’s thyroid disease

Hashimoto’s is an autoimmune condition affecting the thyroid. It is not an absolute contraindication for LASIK. A detailed consultation considers thyroid status, dry eye, and overall stability. Many well-controlled patients undergo LASIK successfully.

Sjögren’s syndrome

Sjögren’s causes severe dry eye. LASIK is usually avoided in these patients because it can worsen dry eye symptoms further. Alternatives such as ICL or contact lens options are often considered.

Mild allergies

Controlled allergies are usually acceptable. Uncontrolled allergies and chronic eye rubbing raise concerns.

Diabetes

Well-controlled diabetes may allow LASIK. Uncontrolled diabetes is a clear contraindication due to healing and retinal concerns.

Previous corneal injury or surgery

Depends on the specific history; individual assessment required.

Pregnancy plans

LASIK is usually avoided during pregnancy and breastfeeding.

What Happens 10 Years After LASIK?

For most patients with suitable pre-operative eyes:

Corneal shape remains stable
Vision stays close to what was achieved at surgery
Presbyopia develops with age and may require reading glasses after 40
Cataract develops at the usual age and can be operated on later
Dry eye symptoms may persist in some patients
A small number may need an enhancement procedure

Regular eye checks are important after LASIK, just as in any eye. Post-LASIK eyes also require specialised intraocular lens calculations if cataract surgery becomes necessary later.

Safety Measures During LASIK

Femtosecond laser for flap creation in modern procedures
Wavefront-guided or topography-guided treatment for higher precision
Strict sterile technique
Experienced surgeons and dedicated teams
Detailed pre-operative imaging
Real-time eye-tracking by the laser
Antibiotic and anti-inflammatory drops before and after surgery
Close follow-up

These measures have made LASIK one of the safest elective surgeries overall.

The Pre-operative Assessment

A thorough pre-operative check at an eye specialist hospital includes:

Detailed medical history
Visual acuity and refraction
Cycloplegic refraction (dilated drops)
Corneal topography and tomography
Pachymetry
Tear film assessment
Pupil size measurement
Aberrometry
Slit-lamp examination
Dilated fundus examination
Detailed discussion of expectations

This assessment is the single most important factor in reducing risk.

After LASIK: Recovery and Care

Resting the eye for the rest of the day
Protective shield at night for the first week
Lubricating and anti-inflammatory drops
No rubbing, swimming, or dusty environments for at least 2 weeks
Sunglasses outdoors for UV protection
Gradual return to normal activities
Follow-up at day 1, week 1, and week 4, then as advised

Most patients return to work within 2 to 3 days and to sport within 2 to 4 weeks.

Alternatives to LASIK

For patients who are not suitable for LASIK, several alternatives exist.

1. SMILE

A flapless laser procedure suitable for many short-sighted patients.

2. PRK or epi-LASIK

Surface-based laser procedures for thinner corneas.

3. Implantable Collamer Lens (ICL)

A lens implanted inside the eye without removing corneal tissue.

4. Multifocal or Toric IOLs at cataract surgery

Often considered in older adults with cataract.

5. Proper glasses or contact lenses

Still a valid and safe long-term option for many.

Tips for a Realistic Decision

Choose an experienced surgeon and a well-equipped centre
Be honest in the history (medicines, habits, eye rubbing)
Get all pre-operative tests done carefully
Ask about the specific technology being used
Clarify what happens if enhancement is needed
Ask about post-operative care and follow-up
Discuss cost, including follow-up visits
Plan time off work for recovery

When Should You See a Doctor?

Book a LASIK consultation if:

You are 18 or older with stable prescription
You rely on glasses or contact lenses daily
You have a job or lifestyle that would benefit from glasses freedom
You have had a lens intolerance
You are exploring options before a big life change
You have been told your prescription is within LASIK range

Urgent review after LASIK for:

Severe eye pain
Sudden vision drop
Persistent redness or discharge
Flashes or new floaters
Suspected flap issue

Consultations for lasik eye surgery and follow-up are straightforward at most modern centres, and the clinical team can also guide you on lasik surgery cost.

LASIK Safety Care at Vasan Eye Care

Vasan Eye Care has been looking after patients across India since 2002, now as part of ASG Enterprises. With more than 150 super-speciality centres, 500+ ophthalmologists, and over 5,000 trained eye care staff, the team performs comprehensive LASIK assessments and procedures, including advanced technologies like femtosecond and wavefront-guided laser. A typical pathway includes careful evaluation, detailed counselling, the procedure itself, and structured follow-up.

Key Takeaways

LASIK is a well-established refractive surgery with a strong safety record.
Suitable candidates are usually 18+ with a stable prescription and healthy corneas.
Contraindications include keratoconus, very thin corneas, severe dry eye, uncontrolled systemic disease, and pregnancy.
Common side effects are dry eye, glare, and halos, which usually settle over months.
Pre-operative assessment is the single most important safety step.
Alternatives like SMILE, PRK, and ICL cover many non-LASIK candidates.

Frequently Asked Questions

Common reasons include unstable refractive prescription, very thin cornea, keratoconus or suspected keratoconus, severe dry eye, certain autoimmune eye diseases, active eye infection, uncontrolled diabetes, pregnancy or breastfeeding, very high refractive errors beyond a safe threshold, and abnormal eye anatomy. A detailed pre-operative assessment identifies these and points to suitable alternatives when needed.

Hashimoto’s thyroid disease is not an absolute contraindication for LASIK. Well-controlled patients with stable thyroid status, acceptable dry eye, and no active ocular inflammation may undergo LASIK after a detailed consultation. Management of thyroid medicines, ocular surface, and any dry eye symptoms is important before surgery. Your eye doctor and endocrinologist can jointly guide the decision.

Sjögren’s syndrome is a major cause of severe dry eye. LASIK is usually avoided in these patients because it can worsen dry eye symptoms and reduce surgical satisfaction. Alternatives such as implantable collamer lenses (ICL) or careful management with contact lenses and lubricating drops are often considered instead. A specialist consultation is essential.

For most patients with suitable pre-operative eyes, the reshaped cornea stays stable for a decade or longer. Vision remains close to what was achieved at surgery. Presbyopia develops with age and may need reading glasses. Cataracts can develop at the usual age and be treated when needed. Some patients may require an enhancement procedure, and regular eye checks remain important throughout life.

References

American Academy of Ophthalmology. Is LASIK Right for Me? https://www.aao.org/eye-health/treatments/lasik
National Eye Institute. LASIK. https://www.nei.nih.gov/learn-about-eye-health/eye-conditions-and-diseases/refractive-errors/lasik
National Center for Biotechnology Information. LASIK Outcomes and Complications. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK582142/
US Food and Drug Administration. LASIK Risks and Benefits. https://www.fda.gov/medical-devices/lasik