While the minimum age for LASIK surgery is 18 years old, there is technically no age limit for laser vision correction. Candidacy for LASIK surgery is typically not dependent upon age, but upon the stability and health of the eye.
Unfortunately, for many years, Laser Eye Surgery was powerless against presbyopia (the natural ageing of the eyes). Luckily, that is no longer the case, meaning that clearer vision could be just around the corner – yes, even if you are over 50!
While there is currently no age limit for older adults wanting LASIK surgery, there are some vision conditions affecting adults age 40 and above that can't be treated with this surgery. These conditions are: Presbyopia or blurry near vision typically occurring around age 40. Cataracts or glaucoma.
Laser eye surgery is suitable for most people over 18. Ideally your eye prescription will have stayed more or less the same for about 2 years. Lens surgery may be more suitable if you have a high spectacle prescription or later in life.
Thankfully, there is no absolute LASIK eye surgery age limit. As long as you're in good general and ocular health and you are a candidate, there is no reason that an older individual can't undergo refractive surgery.
LASIK eye surgery age limits
At around age 40, your eyes start to change, and you may develop presbyopia – farsightedness due to age – which could affect your candidacy for LASIK. Your eyes change again at around age 60, with age-related vision problems such as cataracts possibly presenting at this time.
Of course, LASIK eligibility depends on quite a few factors, several of which are unique from person to person. But the answer is generally yes – LASIK is worth it after 40. LASIK is safe and effective for patients older than 40 and produces the long-term value that this refractive surgery is known for.
Can I Have LASIK After 60? While the minimum age for LASIK surgery is 18, there is no age limit as long as your eyes are healthy and your vision is stable.
Eye herpes. Glaucoma. Blindness in one eye. Partial sightedness in one eye.
Why LASIK After 40 Is Not a Good Idea. During the mid-to-late 40s, people will begin to experience age-related farsightedness. This condition is known as presbyopia. Presbyopia is the result of a hardening of the lens of the eye and changes in the muscles of the eyes.
Generally, there is no cap or specific number of times a person can undergo LASIK surgery.
Yes, it is possible to get LASIK twice. However, it is extremely uncommon to need the surgery twice, and the majority of individuals who undergo LASIK enjoy lasting improved vision after just one procedure.
You have a thin or irregular cornea
If you have a predisposition to corneal shape irregularity, this can be made worse by laser eye surgery, and a condition called corneal ectasia may develop. This occurs infrequently and can often be treated successfully without the need for a corneal transplant.
Is LASIK Eye Surgery Painful? Fortunately, LASIK eye surgery is not painful. Right before your procedure, your surgeon will place numbing eye drops into both of your eyes. While you may still feel a little bit of pressure during the procedure, you should not feel any pain.
You have a disease or are on medications that may affect wound healing. Certain conditions, such as autoimmune diseases (e.g., lupus, rheumatoid arthritis), immunodeficiency states (e.g., HIV) and diabetes, and some medications (e.g., retinoic acid and steroids) may prevent proper healing after a refractive procedure.
It's estimated that the chances of going blind as a result of laser eye surgery are around 1 in 5 million.
Q: How long does LASIK take? A: The procedure usually takes less than 5 minutes per eye. Actual laser treatment time is proportionate to the intended correction treatment and is usually between 5-15 seconds for most patients.
Yes, you can still receive laser eye surgery well into your 50s and 60s and beyond. Your eyes and vision change throughout your life however this is not an impediment to your eligibility.
But, LASIK is permanent. LASIK permanently corrects the vision prescription that you have at the time of surgery. This means that it cannot wear off. However, any underlying conditions such as presbyopia that progress over time can cause changes to your vision, making the original LASIK procedure less effective.
To be eligible for LASIK, people generally need to meet the following requirements: Be at least 18 years of age. Have stable vision over the year prior to surgery, and an appropriate and stable glasses/contact lens prescription for at least two years. Not pregnant or breastfeeding.
Once the full healing process after Eye LASIK surgery has been completed, your optimum visual acuity will be reached. After 3 to 6 months your eyesight will have reached its optimum benefit from the surgery. In many cases 20/20 vision is achieved, but some patients find they need reading glasses for close work.
If the LASIK flap is not made correctly, it may fail to adhere properly to the eye's surface or microscopic wrinkles called striae (STRIE-ee) could develop in the flap. These flap complications can cause optical aberrations and distorted vision.
If a second procedure has been deemed necessary, another flap will be created. Most surgeons won't perform a second LASIK procedure unless it's 5-10 years after LASIK.