Dry Eye Treatment in Kuwait: Causes, Diagnosis and Options
October 20, 2026Keratoconus in Children and Teenagers: Early Signs Parents Should Know
November 1, 2026Short answer: you may be a good candidate for LASIK if you are 18 or older, your glasses or contact lens prescription has been stable (usually for at least a year), your corneas are healthy and thick enough, and your eyes are otherwise healthy. Only a full assessment with corneal imaging can confirm it. If LASIK is not suitable, other options such as PRK (surface laser) or an implantable lens (ICL) may be, and sometimes the safest advice is no surgery.
What makes someone a good LASIK candidate?
- Age and stability: adults aged 18 or over whose prescription has not changed significantly, usually for at least a year.
- Prescription within a treatable range: short-sightedness (myopia), long-sightedness (hyperopia) or astigmatism within limits that can be corrected safely for your corneal thickness.
- Healthy, regular corneas: no signs of keratoconus or other corneal thinning on corneal scans, and enough corneal thickness to leave a safe amount untreated.
- Healthy eyes overall: no active infection or inflammation, and dry eye controlled before surgery.
- Realistic expectations: the aim is to reduce or remove dependence on glasses, but results vary and reading glasses are usually needed from the mid-40s because of natural ageing of the lens.
The tests that decide suitability
A laser vision assessment usually includes:
- Vision and prescription measurement, including a measurement after dilating drops where needed.
- Corneal mapping (topography or tomography) to check the shape of the cornea and look for early keratoconus.
- Corneal thickness measurement (pachymetry).
- Tear-film and eyelid assessment, because dry eye affects both measurements and comfort after surgery.
- A full eye examination, including the retina.
If you wear contact lenses, you will be asked to stop wearing them before the assessment for a period set by the medical team, because lenses temporarily change the shape of the cornea.
Common reasons LASIK may not be recommended
- A changing prescription, for example in younger patients or during pregnancy and breastfeeding (surgery is usually postponed).
- Thin corneas, or an irregular corneal shape that may indicate keratoconus. LASIK can weaken a cornea that is already prone to thinning.
- A very high prescription that would need too much corneal tissue to be removed.
- Significant dry eye that has not been treated yet.
- Some general health conditions, such as certain autoimmune diseases, and some medications. Your doctor will review your history.
- Early lens changes (cataract) or age-related focusing problems, where a lens-based option may suit better.
Alternatives if LASIK is not right for you
PRK (surface laser)
PRK treats the surface of the cornea with no flap. After assessment, it may suit some people with thinner corneas or people at higher risk of eye injury, but not every thin or irregular cornea. Recovery is slower than after LASIK: discomfort for several days and vision that improves gradually over weeks.
ICL (implantable collamer lens)
An ICL is a thin lens placed inside the eye, in front of your natural lens and behind the iris, without removing any corneal tissue. It may be considered for high myopia, hyperopia or astigmatism (toric ICL), or for people whose corneas are not suitable for laser. Suitability depends on extra measurements, such as the space inside the front of the eye and the health of the inner layer of the cornea (endothelium). The lens can be removed if needed. Most patients recover without problems, and serious complications are rare. Possible risks include a rise in eye pressure and, less commonly, cataract; infection inside the eye is very rare. Your doctor will explain the risks for your eyes. Read more about ICL.
Lens-based options after the mid-40s
When reading vision is also changing, or the natural lens is starting to cloud, your surgeon may discuss lens-based options similar to cataract surgery, where the natural lens is replaced with an artificial one. This is a different decision with different risks, and it is discussed case by case.
Glasses or contact lenses
Surgery is a choice, not a necessity. Glasses and contact lenses remain safe, effective options, and for some eyes they are the best advice.
LASIK, PRK and ICL at a glance
| Femto-LASIK / LASIK | PRK | ICL | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Where it works | Reshapes the cornea under a thin flap | Reshapes the corneal surface, no flap | Lens placed inside the eye; cornea not reshaped |
| Often considered for | Low to moderate prescriptions with healthy, thick enough corneas | Some thinner corneas or higher risk of eye injury | High prescriptions, or corneas not suitable for laser |
| Early recovery | Usually a day or two | Several days of discomfort; vision improves over weeks | Usually a few days; follow-up checks of eye pressure |
| Reversible? | No | No | The lens can be removed |
Frequently asked questions
I was told I am not suitable for LASIK. Does that mean I cannot have vision correction?
Not necessarily. Depending on why LASIK was not recommended, PRK or ICL may be options. If the reason was an irregular corneal shape, you should also be checked for keratoconus, because early treatment can slow it down.
How old do I need to be for LASIK?
Usually 18 or older, with a prescription that has been stable, typically for at least a year.
Is ICL better than LASIK?
Neither is better for everyone. ICL does not remove corneal tissue and is often considered for higher prescriptions or thinner corneas, while LASIK suits many people with moderate prescriptions and healthy corneas. Your measurements decide which is safer for you.
Can I have LASIK if I have dry eyes?
Dry eye is usually treated first, because it affects the measurements and comfort after surgery. Some people with significant dry eye may be better suited to another option.
Will I still need reading glasses?
Most people need reading glasses from their mid-40s because of natural ageing of the lens, whether or not they have had LASIK.
Related guides: Femto-LASIK, LASIK and PRK · Keratoconus and cross-linking · Laser vision correction
Have a question about your eyes?
Message us on WhatsApp or call, and our team will arrange an assessment.
Al-Messilah Medical Tower B, 12th Floor, Bneid Al-Qar – Saturday to ThursdayThis article provides general information and does not replace a medical consultation. Suitability, risks and results differ from person to person.
Sources: American Academy of Ophthalmology, patient information on LASIK and phakic intraocular lenses (aao.org/eye-health); U.S. FDA, “What should I expect before, during, and after LASIK surgery?” (fda.gov).
