Am I a candidate for LASIK?
You’ve thought about it. You’re tired of glasses or contact lenses. You’re ready for a change. But the big question is:
"Am I a good candidate for LASIK?"
Let’s go through what makes someone suitable for LASIK—and when it might not be the best option.
What LASIK is designed to treat
LASIK corrects common vision problems known as refractive errors, like:
- Myopia (short-sightedness)
- Hyperopia (long-sightedness)
- Astigmatism (blurred vision at all distances)
If you wear glasses or contacts for any of these reasons, LASIK could be a fit.
You might be a good candidate if:
- You’re over 18
- Your prescription has been stable for at least a year
- Your eyes are healthy
- Your corneas are thick enough for treatment
- You’re not pregnant or breastfeeding
- You don’t have a condition that affects healing (like certain autoimmune diseases).
What might make someone unsuitable?
- Very high prescriptions (LASIK has limits, though there are alternatives)
- Thin or irregular corneas
- Eye diseases like keratoconus or glaucoma
- Ongoing dry eye issues
- Certain medical conditions that affect healing.
Even if you’re not suitable for LASIK, there are often other options like lenticule extraction (SMILE) or lens replacement that may work for you.
What about age?
There’s no upper age limit, but LASIK is best for people under 40 who don’t need reading glasses yet.
If you’re 40+, and reading vision is your main concern, a procedure like Presbyond (which treats distance and near vision) may be more appropriate.
What’s involved in the LASIK assessment?
At your consultation, we:
- Measure your prescription
- Check the shape and thickness of your corneas
- Look at your tear film and eye surface
- Review your medical and eye history.
All of this helps us determine if LASIK is safe and likely to succeed for you.
How safe is LASIK?
LASIK has been performed for over 30 years and has a strong safety record.
Most people achieve 20/20 vision or better. Over 95% of patients are happy with their results.
But safety starts with choosing the right candidates. That’s why a thorough assessment is so important.
How do I know where to start?
Start by taking our quick self-test. It gives you a sense of whether LASIK might be right for you—and what your next steps could be.
Find out if you are suitable for laser eye surgery
Not everyone is eligible for vision correction surgery.
Find out if you could benefit from this life changing surgery by taking the quick self-suitability quiz below:
Our most popular procedures
What our patients say…
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
“The best care, the best treatment and the best doctors.”
M.A.★ ★ ★ ★ ★
“Everything was done with care and the doctor explained everything in detail. My surgery was a success and my sight has significantly improved – I no longer use glasses.”
N.N.★ ★ ★ ★ ★
“All I can say is WOW! I feel like I have new eyes.
Thank you just doesn’t even began to say how grateful I am. Your hole team is an absolute pleasure to be around. You guys rock”
S.B.★ ★ ★ ★ ★
“The service is excellent and the doctors are experts in their fields. I felt relaxed and confident that I was in great hands. Staff are warm, friendly and very helpful.”
F.W.★ ★ ★ ★ ★
“I would refer Dr Beatty to anyone interested in LASIK or PRK eye surgery. The entire experience was really pleasant with his and his staff’s professional advice and care before, during and after the surgery.
I am very thankful to be able to look at the world and go about my day to day activities without the hassle of glasses or contact lenses.”
P.M.★ ★ ★ ★ ★
“Best money spent ever. I am so happy with the results after I had LASIK done.”
M.A.★ ★ ★ ★ ★
“BEST decision and results after I had my LASIK done by Doctor Beatty!”
A.A.★ ★ ★ ★ ★
“I will definitely recommend Dr Beatty. I am so happy with my LASIK.”
R.B.★ ★ ★ ★ ★
“Dr Daemon McClunan and the entire staff at Atlantic Eye Centre, Foreshore are beyond AMAZING. The medical care I received from Dr McClunan was outstanding and the staff was always friendly and professional.”
M.M.We have replaced the images of real patients who provided these testimonials to protect their privacy.
Hi, I’m Daemon McClunan
I’m proud to be the founder of both the Atlantic Eye Centre, a leading eye specialist centre; and LIQID Medical Pty, an award-winning biotech company. My passion for research and innovation has led me to create four patented devices, and earn various prestigious awards during my specialist training.
With a medical degree from Stellenbosch University, a specialist degree from the University of Cape Town, and experience working in renowned Laser Eye Surgery centres in Canada, Germany, India and London, I’m dedicated to providing top-tier care.
Beyond the clinic, I’ve embarked on humanitarian missions, travelling over 15,000km by motorbike to provide rural eye screenings. In my downtime, I love mountain biking, diving, and spending quality time with my family.
My goal is to provide a world-class service which ensures every patient leaves my practice feeling happier than when they first walked in.
Dr Daemon McClunan
MBChB(SU), DipOphth(SA), MMed(UCT), FcOphth(SA)
Hi, I’m James Beatty
I pride myself on providing exceptional eye care with state-of-the-art equipment and a team dedicated to excellence. With a focus on refractive surgery, I bring years of experience and expertise to each patient’s journey towards clearer vision.
As an active member of esteemed Ophthalmologist societies including the Ophthalmological Society of South Africa and the South African Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery, I stay abreast of the latest advancements in the field.
Additionally, my affiliation with the Health Professions Council of South Africa and the South African Glaucoma Society underscores my commitment to upholding the highest standards of care.
With a passion for laser surgery, I strive to deliver optimal outcomes for every patient.
Dr James Beatty
MB ChB (UCT) FCS (SA) Ophth MMed (Stel) Ophth
