Eligibility is the most crucial stage of laser vision correction – it’s where the decision is made whether the procedure is safe for you and which method will yield the best result. On this page, you will find criteria, contraindications, the examination process, and preparation guidelines. The preliminary online test takes 45 seconds, while the full examination at the clinic takes approximately 90 minutes.
SwissLaser in numbers: over 25,000 procedures performed by the chief surgeon · clinics in Warsaw, Krakow, Vienna, and Zurich · Google: 4.9 (Warsaw) and 5.0 (Krakow)
Eligibility – In Brief
- Age: 18 years or older, stable refractive error for at least 12 months
- Refractive Error Range: myopia up to approximately -10 D, hyperopia up to +5 D, astigmatism up to 6 D
- Cornea: healthy, regular, and sufficiently thick for the planned correction
- Eye Surface: no active inflammation; dry eye is treated first
- Examination: PLN 400, approximately 90 minutes, results and treatment plan immediately available
- Decision: made by you – after measurements, not before
Who is Eligible for Laser Vision Correction
At SwissLaser, we use a simple traffic light system – the same one patients see on the method pages.
Green Light – Ideal Candidates
You are between 18 and 60 years old, your refractive error has been stable for at least 12 months, and your cornea is healthy and adequately thick. Myopia, hyperopia, or astigmatism within the ranges specified above.
Yellow Light – Requires Consultation
Tendency for dry eyes, relatively thin cornea, certain autoimmune diseases, age over 45 (presbyopia occurs, which laser corrects differently – see PresbyMAX). Here, measurements, not rules, are decisive.
Red Light – Not Eligible for Laser, but Alternatives Exist
Niestabilna wada wzroku, stożek rogówki, zaawansowana zaćma lub jaskra, ciąża i karmienie piersią. Alternatywą są soczewki fakijne ICL (wady do -18 D, bez usuwania tkanki rogówki) oraz po 45. roku życia refrakcyjna wymiana soczewki.
Contraindications for Laser Vision Correction
Absolute – Laser procedure is not performed
- Corneal changes: keratoconus, congenital pathologies, dystrophic diseases, scars
- Cornea too thin relative to the magnitude of the refractive error to be corrected
- Glaucoma and cataracts – require their own treatment, refractive laser does not resolve them
- Refractive error too high for laser – then phakic ICL lens or refractive lens exchange
- Irregular, complex astigmatism coexisting with eye disease
- tendency to form keloids
Relative – Temporary, procedure postponed
- pregnancy and breastfeeding
- Refractive error changing in the last 12 months
- Active eye or eyelid inflammation, untreated dry eye syndrome
- Certain systemic diseases and medications affecting healing – assessed individually
- Age under 18 years
If diagnostics say “no,” there’s no point in desperately seeking a surgeon who will ignore the results. We state this directly and immediately propose alternatives.
How the Qualification Examination Proceeds (approx. 90 minutes)
We perform a complete set of examinations in one visit, in Warsaw or Krakow. Each measurement has a specific purpose:
- Medical history. Discussion about your refractive error, diseases, medications, work, and sports – how you live affects the choice of method as much as the eye’s structure.
- Refraction examination. Autorefractometry and optometric examination: precise refractive error magnitude to within 0.25 diopters, separately for each eye.
- Corneal topography and tomography. Map of the shape of the anterior and posterior corneal surface and measurement of its thickness (pachymetry). Here we rule out keratoconus and check how much tissue can be safely removed.
- OCT and tonometry. Retinal tomography and intraocular pressure measurement – laser corrects the refractive error but cannot replace a healthy retina and optic nerve.
- Assessment of the eye surface. Tear film and eyelids: the tendency for dry eye is assessed before the procedure, not only when a problem arises.
- Fundus examination. After pupil dilation with drops. Therefore, do not drive for 2-3 hours after the visit.
- Consultation with the doctor. We discuss the results immediately: which method is safe for you, what effect you can expect, the exact cost, and when the procedure can be performed. The decision is yours.
How to Prepare for the Examination
- Contact lenses: discontinue soft lenses 7 days before the examination, rigid gas permeable (hard) lenses 3 weeks before – they change the shape of the cornea and would falsify measurements
- Transportation: we dilate pupils – do not drive for 2-3 hours after the visit
- Documentation: bring any existing ophthalmological documentation and current prescriptions for glasses or contact lenses
- Time: reserve approximately 90 minutes; we discuss the results and treatment plan immediately
- Makeup: come without eye makeup – this facilitates the assessment of the eyelids and tear film
What Determines the Choice of Method
| Your Situation | What We Check | Where It Usually Leads |
|---|---|---|
| Thin cornea | Corneal tomography and thickness | Trans-PRK; if that’s not an option – ICL |
| Tendency for dry eye | Tear film, eyelids | Flapless methods: SmartSight, SmartSight Nova |
| Contact sports, uniformed services | Medical history | Flapless methods: SmartSight, SmartSight Nova, Trans-PRK |
| Higher astigmatism | Topography, astigmatism axis | SmartSight Nova with eye rotation compensation |
| Fastest return to sharp vision | Medical history, corneal thickness | FemtoLASIK |
| After age 45 | Near and distance refraction | PresbyMAX or lens exchange |
A full comparison of methods – with and without prices – can be found on the page Which Laser Vision Correction Method is Best.
Check Your Eligibility – Two Steps
Step 1 (45 seconds, online): preliminary test with seven questions – no registration, you immediately know if the procedure is likely.
Step 2 (approximately 90 minutes, at the clinic): qualification examination for PLN 400 – full diagnostics and consultation with a doctor, after which you will know your method, price, and date.
Expert Commentary
Eligibility is the most important stage of the entire process – over 25,000 procedures have taught me that the best results start with an honest “yes” or an honest “no.” If diagnostics say “no” to laser, we always have alternatives – from ICL to lens exchange.
Dr. med. Victor Derhartunian, FEBO, FWCRS – Refractive Surgeon
Most Frequent Questions About Eligibility
How much does the qualification examination cost and how long does it take?
The qualification examination costs PLN 400 and takes approximately 90 minutes. It includes a complete set of tests necessary for safely planning the procedure. It is billed separately from the procedure cost.
What is the minimum age for laser vision correction?
From 18 years of age, provided that the refractive error has been stable for at least 12 months. For some individuals, the refractive error stabilizes only around 21 years of age – in such cases, it is advisable to wait, as a procedure performed on a changing refractive error will not yield a lasting effect.
What refractive error range qualifies for laser surgery?
Myopia up to approximately -10 diopters, hyperopia up to +5 diopters, and astigmatism up to 6 diopters. The limits depend on corneal thickness: the greater the refractive error, the more tissue needs to be removed. For higher refractive errors, we consider phakic ICL lenses, which do not remove corneal tissue.
Does a Thin Cornea Exclude Surgery?
Not always. Trans-PRK is the most tissue-sparing method, and we often qualify individuals for it who were denied FemtoLASIK elsewhere. The decision is made after corneal tomography, not solely based on the number of micrometers.
Can I undergo the procedure if I have dry eye syndrome?
A tendency for dry eyes requires consultation but is not an automatic exclusion. Lenticular methods (SmartSight, SmartSight Nova) preserve most of the corneal nerves that control tear secretion. If the eye surface requires treatment, we treat it first and plan the procedure later.
Can the procedure be performed during pregnancy or breastfeeding?
No. Hormonal changes affect refraction and healing, so we plan the procedure after breastfeeding has ended and the refractive error is stable again.
Do I need to stop wearing contact lenses before the examination?
Yes. Discontinue soft contact lenses 7 days before the examination, and rigid gas permeable (hard) lenses 3 weeks before. Contact lenses change the shape of the cornea and would falsify the measurements on which the procedure plan depends.
Can I drive after the examination?
Not for 2-3 hours. We dilate pupils with drops for the fundus examination, which temporarily impairs vision and increases light sensitivity. Please come by public transport, train, or with an accompanying person.
Will I receive the qualification results immediately?
Yes. After the examinations, you will speak with a doctor who will discuss the results, indicate the method, price, and possible date. You leave with a plan, not uncertainty.
What if I don’t qualify for laser surgery?
We state it directly – an honest “no” for laser doesn’t mean the end of possibilities. For high refractive errors or thin corneas, we consider phakic ICL lenses, and after age 45, refractive lens exchange. Both methods are performed in Warsaw and Krakow.
Content verified by Dr. med. univ. (Vienna) Victor Derhartunian, FEBO, FWCRS – specialist in refractive and cataract surgery, chief surgeon at SwissLaser (Warsaw, Krakow) and EyeLaser (Vienna, Zurich).
