Private laser eye surgery suitability check UK 2026

A laser eye surgery suitability check is a 60–90 minute diagnostic assessment — corneal topography, corneal thickness (pachymetry), OCT scanning, tear-film analysis and a consultant review of your prescription history — that confirms whether LASIK, SMILE or PRK/LASEK is safe and likely to give you an excellent result. In the UK in 2026 a full assessment typically costs £200–£350, is usually redeemable against treatment, and requires no GP referral. If laser isn't suitable, the same scans identify whether an implantable collamer lens (ICL) or refractive lens exchange is the better route.

What is a laser eye surgery suitability check?

Laser vision correction reshapes the cornea, so the decision to treat rests almost entirely on what your cornea, prescription and eye health look like under proper diagnostic imaging. A suitability check is the formal, consultant-led version of that decision: a set of scans and clinical checks that either clears you for surgery, rules it out, or points you to a better option.

It matters because not everyone is suitable. Industry-wide, roughly 15–20% of people assessed for laser eye surgery are found unsuitable for it — most commonly because of thin or irregular corneas, very high prescriptions, unstable prescriptions or significant dry eye. A thorough assessment protects you from being treated when you shouldn't be, and from paying for the wrong procedure.

Am I likely to be suitable? The 2026 criteria

Exact limits vary by clinic and laser platform, but UK surgeons generally look for:

• Age 18 or over — most surgeons prefer 21+, when prescriptions have settled
• A stable prescription — little or no change for at least 12–24 months
• Short sight (myopia) up to around −8.00 to −10.00 dioptres
• Long sight (hyperopia) up to around +4.00 dioptres
• Astigmatism up to around 5.00–6.00 dioptres
• Adequate corneal thickness — enough tissue to reshape safely with a healthy margin
• A regular cornea — no keratoconus or other corneal ectasia on topography
• Healthy eyes — no uncontrolled dry eye, active infection, uncontrolled glaucoma or significant cataract
• General health — not currently pregnant or breastfeeding; some autoimmune conditions need specialist discussion

Falling outside one of these ranges doesn't always mean "no" — it means the assessment matters more. Surface treatments such as PRK or LASEK suit some thinner corneas, and lens-based surgery covers prescriptions far beyond laser limits.

What happens at the assessment

Plan for 60–90 minutes. Wear glasses rather than contact lenses beforehand — soft lenses should usually be left out for at least a week (rigid lenses longer) so they don't distort the corneal measurements.

1. History and prescription review — your optical records, prescription stability, medications, dry-eye symptoms and what you want from surgery.
2. Corneal topography — a detailed 3-D map of the corneal surface to rule out keratoconus and irregular astigmatism.
3. Pachymetry — precise corneal thickness measurement, which sets how much tissue can safely be reshaped.
4. OCT scanning — cross-sectional imaging of the cornea and retina to confirm structural health.
5. Tear-film and dry-eye check — dry eye is the most common cause of post-laser discomfort and is treated before surgery, not after.
6. Dilated examination and consultant discussion — the surgeon reviews every scan with you and gives a clear recommendation: LASIK, SMILE, PRK/LASEK, a lens-based option, or no surgery at all — with a fixed written quote for whichever route is right.

You'll be advised not to drive immediately afterwards if dilating drops are used, so arrange transport or allow a few hours before driving. Read more about what to expect at your consultation.

If laser isn't right for you

An honest suitability check is as much about finding the right alternative as approving laser. The two main routes are:

If you're weighing the two main routes, our guide to lens replacement vs laser eye surgery over 50 covers the decision in depth.

Suitability check cost in 2026

A full in-clinic laser suitability assessment in the UK typically costs £200–£350, and most clinics — ours included — redeem the fee against treatment if you go ahead. Assessments that include advanced imaging (topography, OCT and full dilated review) sit at the upper end; a lens-surgery-grade assessment with OCT is around £340.

• Free online pre-screen: £0 — checks your prescription against laser limits before you travel. Book a free online consultation.
• Full in-clinic assessment: £200–£350, usually redeemable against surgery.
• Treatment itself: see the full laser eye surgery cost guide for 2026 pricing by procedure.

Advanced corneal imaging is also available as a standalone diagnostic — see corneal topography scan pricing.

Frequently asked questions