Yes, LASIK can be worth it over 40 for clear distance vision, but you'll likely still need reading glasses due to natural age-related near vision loss (presbyopia) starting soon after. While traditional LASIK fixes distance, other options like monovision LASIK (one eye for far, one for near) or premium lens replacement (RLE) might be better to reduce dependence on glasses at all distances, as LASIK doesn't stop cataracts from forming later. A thorough eye exam is crucial to see if you're a candidate and to discuss the best procedure for your long-term needs.
Yes, LASIK can be worth it at 40, offering significant vision improvement, but you must have realistic expectations as you'll likely still need reading glasses due to presbyopia (age-related near vision loss), with options like monovision or lens replacement being alternatives for near and far clarity, so a thorough consultation with an eye surgeon is crucial to discuss your needs and potential outcomes, including other treatments like PRK or lens surgery.
In an interview that broke the internet (literally—over 1.3 million viewers crashed YouTube), Taylor didn't just announce her new album “The Life of a Showgirl.” She casually credited LASIK with helping her fully experience the emotional connections that made her tour so special.
Most ophthalmologists who perform Lasik say that is simply not the case. The surgery is not without complications, but it is rare for any extreme issues to arise. One paper has found that the majority of Lasik recipients were happy with their results, with only 1.2% reporting dissatisfaction.
You are never too old to have vision correction surgery
The treatment which is most suitable for your eyes is best determined by the right tests and an expert opinion from your operating surgeon.
By the 10-year mark, your original LASIK correction still holds. However, some patients may experience minor changes in their vision due to: Natural aging of the eye. Slight refractive shifts over time (especially if vision was unstable pre-LASIK)
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.
Here's the thing you might not realize about LASIK: you can only have the procedure if you qualify for it. LASIK is a surgical procedure, after all. About 15-20% of potential candidates are not approved for LASIK because they don't qualify. This even applies to celebrities like Kylie Jenner and Taylor Swift!
It's needlessly invasive and not always effective. Plus, more and more patients are finding that, while their procedure corrected their vision for a while, it unfortunately didn't last. Even eyes that have been treated with LASIK can regress as they age.
Nicole Kidman's results after LASIK
The procedure gave Kidman perfect 20/20 eyesight. She was amazed by how long she had lived with poor vision: “I can't believe I spent so many years blurry… Now I notice if people are watching me, but I also smile right back if someone waves, which helps”.
Global music icon Ed Sheeran has swapped his glasses for crystal-clear vision, thanks to life-changing laser eye surgery at EuroEyes. For years, Ed Sheeran lived behind lenses. “I've spent 28 years looking through Plexiglas,” he admitted.
In 2010, Brad Pitt, one of Hollywood's most recognisable faces, underwent LASIK laser eye surgery, a decision that had a dramatic effect on both his personal and professional life. Well known for his iconic roles and red carpet charm, Pitt kept his battle with impaired vision largely under the radar.
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.
Laser vision correction has one of the highest success rates in modern medicine. Around 99% of people who have LASIK surgery, for example, achieve 20/20 vision or better. And close to 100% reach the level of sight needed to pass a driver's licence test without wearing glasses.
LASIK for older people is not always the best option to correct vision problems. The eyes tend to be their healthiest from the time we are 19 to around 40. After 40, changes in the eye could no longer make you an ideal candidate for LASIK eye surgery. Fortunately, LASIK is not the only treatment for aging eyesight.
Robert Liston's most notorious surgery yielded 300% mortality. The patient, the surgical assistant, and a family member bystander, each of whom felt the blade of Dr. Liston's slashing amputation knife, died of gangrene in the days following.
The medical name for the procedure is cytoreductive surgery (CRS) with heated intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC) or CRS/HIPEC.
Disc surgeries of the spine have a failure rate greater than 50%. 10% of patients experience a worsening of symptoms after surgical intervention.
Powerhouse musician Taylor Swift had LASIK to correct her vision, and she hasn't looked back since. … Except for that time on The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon when a clip was shown of her recovery process.
We ask that you avoid wearing contact lenses and make-up prior to LASIK surgery. To avoid potential complications, we request patients wearing soft contact lenses discontinue their contacts 2 weeks prior to surgery, while those wearing hard or gas permeable contacts discontinue them 3 weeks prior.
Only 3% of patients regret getting LASIK.
LASIK after 40 may not work well in patients who have other health conditions present like dry eyes, diabetes, or autoimmune disorders. The doctors at OVO will help screen you for your eligibility for surgery and treat any underlying conditions that may exist.
Refractive Lensectomy and Dysfunctional Lens Syndrome:
Refractive Lensectomy has grown increasingly popular for patients over the age of 50, and who are experiencing presbyopia or extreme farsightedness. Over time, the natural lens in our eye will start to become less clear.
Here's why fall is an ideal season for LASIK:
The cooler temperatures of fall provide a comfortable environment for your eyes to heal. You won't have to worry about bright summer rays or excessive outdoor pollen, making the recovery process much more manageable.