LASIK Candidacy Checklist
Our free LASIK candidacy checklist is a simple planning tool to help you get organized before a consultation. It does **not** diagnose you, and it cannot tell you if LASIK is right for you. Only a licensed eye surgeon, after an in-person exam, can decide that.
What this checklist is
This free PDF is for people who are starting to ask a basic question: "Could I be a LASIK candidate?" It helps you gather your thoughts, note practical questions, and walk into a consultation better prepared.
It is not a screening test. It is not medical advice. Sightlume is a free matching service, not a clinic or surgeon. We do not do eye exams, diagnose conditions, or tell you which procedure to choose.
If you want a broader overview first, see LASIK basics or how candidacy and the exam work.
What’s inside the PDF
The checklist is designed to help you stay organized without asking you to share medical details with us. It focuses on practical topics people often forget during the research stage, such as:
- your goals for surgery and what you hope to change
- your current routine with glasses or contact lenses
- questions to ask at a consultation
- space to compare more than one surgeon visit
- reminders about cost, recovery time, and work or driving planning
- risk topics you should ask about clearly and directly
It also reminds you that not everyone is a candidate. Some people are told no. Others may be better suited for PRK, SMILE, ICL, or no surgery at all. An honest surgeon should explain that candidacy varies from person to person.
How to use it well
Use the checklist before you book, before your exam, and after each consultation.
- Download it and read it once. Mark the parts that matter most to you.
- Write down your questions in plain language. For example: How long might recovery take? What are the real risks? What happens if my result is under-corrected?
- Bring it to each consultation. Take notes while the surgeon explains your options.
- Compare answers, not promises. You are looking for clarity, honesty, and a full exam, not sales pressure.
- Take your time. It is always OK to wait, get another opinion, or keep glasses or contacts.
If you want help finding consultations near you, you can get matched at no cost.
What the checklist cannot do
A download cannot tell you whether LASIK is safe or appropriate for your eyes. Only an in-person exam with a licensed ophthalmologist can check things like corneal measurements, prescription stability, eye surface health, and other findings that affect candidacy.
It also cannot predict your result. No surgery comes with a guarantee. Results vary. Every vision-correction procedure has real risks, including dry eye, glare or halos, under- or over-correction, infection, flap-related problems, and rare vision loss. If you are researching LASIK, read more about risks and side effects.
Cost matters too. In the US, LASIK often falls around $2,000-$3,000 per eye, but the real price depends on your eyes, the technology used, and your area. Those are typical ranges, not quotes or guarantees.
Download the checklist, use it to write your questions, and bring it to your consultation. It can help you stay organized, but it is not medical advice and it cannot decide candidacy. Only a full exam with a licensed eye surgeon can do that.