LASIK and Age

LASIK and Age

There have been significant advances in LASIK technology in the last five to ten years. For the vast majority of patients, these technological advances have made LASIK a safer, more effective laser eye surgery. Newer, safer technologies enable patients that were not ideal candidates for LASIK to reconsider the procedure. A wide range of patients can benefit from LASIK surgery. While LASIK surgery is typically not recommended for patients who are under the age of eighteen, patients ranging from 18 to their 60s and above may benefit from the procedure.

What Makes a Good LASIK Candidate?

At the vision correction center, Chicago Cornea Consultants™, Ltd., considerations for LASIK include the age of the patient, the health of the patient’s eyes, the overall health of the patient, the patient’s vision history, and the needs of the patient. Not all patients will be ideal candidates for LASIK. Patients that suffer from dry eye, are pregnant or nursing, do not have sufficient corneal tissue, are affected by disease, trauma, or infection in the eye, or are suffering from certain health conditions may not qualify for LASIK surgery. There are many factors that make a patient a good candidate for LASIK surgery, including:

Age: Typically, a patient must be over the age of 18 in order to be a candidate for LASIK surgery
Stability: A patient’s eye prescription must be stable for at least one year before undergoing LASIK
Healthy eyes: A patient’s eyes must be free from infection, disease, and trauma
Corneal thickness: The thickness of the cornea must be sufficient, yet not too thick

Am I too Young for LASIK?

In rare cases, LASIK may be performed in patients under the age of 18. If a patient cannot tolerate wearing glasses or contact lenses, LASIK may be recommended even if the patient is under the age of 18.

It is common for patients between the ages of 18 and 24 to experience changes in their vision. Because these changes are to be expected, it may be beneficial for patients to wait until their mid-20s to undergo the procedure. By waiting to undergo LASIK, a patient can save money and time by avoiding a second LASIK procedure. Of course, a patient’s candidacy cannot be determined by age alone. A patient’s candidacy for LASIK can only be determined during a comprehensive LASIK consultation.

Am I too Old for LASIK?

The age of patients wanting to undergo LASIK surgery seems to be growing. It is becoming increasingly common for patients in their 50s and 60s to undergo LASIK. An older patient that has properly cared for his or her eyes, lives a healthy, active lifestyle, and is free from infection, disease, and trauma to the eyes can benefit from LASIK. For the most part, patients of all ages undergo LASIK for the same reason: to see clearly without having to wear glasses or contact lenses.

A patient’s age plays a small role in determining his or her candidacy for LASIK. The overall health of the patient, the needs of the patient, the age of the patient, and the stability of the patient’s vision are all factors in determining a patient’s eligibility for LASIK. An older patient with healthy eyes, stable vision, and realistic expectations is a better candidate than a younger patient with vision that has not yet stabilized.