By dilating your eyes, the doctor can examine your retina and optic nerve more fully. To perform this part of the exam, the doctor will put a few drops in your eyes that cause your pupils to enlarge, letting more light in and giving him or her a better view into your eye. Your eyes may be sensitive to light for up to an hour after the test, so it’s best to avoid being outside in direct sunlight afterward.

Generally speaking, most LASIK eye surgeons agree on 25-40 as the ideal age range for LASIK eye surgery candidacy for a few reasons. By the age of 25, eyeglasses and contact lens prescriptions have most likely stabilized. A stable prescription gives the most desired and favorable outcome of the procedure and is one of the hallmarks of a good LASIK candidate. Until the age of 24, our eyesight continues to change, so it is not often that a LASIK eye surgeon will recommend the procedure for those under the age of 25 for the general public. Those in the military, law enforcement, and professional athletes may be given special consideration.