Posted on: 05/23/19

Lasik Surgery

Are you thinking about getting LASIK? Are you tired of wearing glasses or contacts?

Have you had stable vision that hasn’t changed in at least a year? Do you think that you might be too old for it?

There is no “right” or wrong age for getting LASIK. Keep reading to learn more about why!

What is LASIK?

LASIK is only FDA approved for patients who are 18 and older. Many eye doctors and LASIK surgeons recommend waiting until your mid-twenties for LASIK.

This is to make sure your eyes have stopped changing and are stable. To get LASIK, one important factor is having a stable prescription for at least a year. This means your prescription needs to stay the same.

During a person’s mid-twenties, they are establishing themselves. This means that they are growing their savings, and growing into who they are.

They may start traveling more and find that glasses and contacts aren’t worth tired eyes. This is why people usually get LASIK during this time.

Can I have LASIK when I’m older?

Starting around age 40, people’s eyes start changing again. Around this time, people usually begin to need reading glasses.

This is due to a condition called presbyopia, and LASIK eye surgery does not fix presbyopia. Some people choose to have monovision during refractive lens exchange (RLE).

RLE is a refractive procedure that usually involves removing cataracts. But monovision corrects one eye for near vision and corrects the other eye for distance.

Again, as individuals reach age 60, their eyes begin changing again. This is when individuals are at a higher risk for cataracts.

Not everyone needs cataract surgery, as you could have an under-developed cataract.

Cataract surgery only becomes necessary if your cataract is causing vision impairment. If cataracts are to blame for your vision loss, cataract surgery is best instead of LASIK.

Who is a good candidate for LASIK when they are older?

Although it’s less common, it is possible to be a good LASIK candidate at forty, fifty, or even sixty years old! While age can impact a patient’s potential to be a good candidate for LASIK, it does not limit them.

If you are healthy with a stable prescription and no eye conditions, you could be a LASIK candidate. You should consider contacting your eye doctor about LASIK.

It is important to remember that being healthy does not mean that you need to have perfect health. There are several factors that go into LASIK candidacy besides eye health.

Common LASIK factors that are considered include:

  • stable vision with a prescription that hasn’t changed in at least a year
  • being 18 years of age or older
  • having thick enough corneas
  • having healthy eyes
  • having conditions like dry eye under control before the procedure
  • being in good health and having conditions like diabetes or high blood pressure managed

The only way to find out if you could be right for LASIK is to have a LASIK consultation! Contact the experts at Cutarelli Vision in Denver, CO to schedule a LASIK consultation now!