At What Age Should You Get LASIK

What is LASIK surgery?

LASIK, which stands for Laser-Assisted In Situ Keratomileusis, is one of the most popular and common elective surgeries in the United States. LASIK is a form of refractive eye surgery used to improve vision problems caused by refractive errors such as nearsightedness, farsightedness, and astigmatism. In simpler terms, it’s a laser eye surgery that can help you see more clearly without needing glasses or contact lenses as much as before. Refractive errors occur when your eye doesn’t properly bend light to focus it on the retina at the back of your eye, leading to blurry vision and the need for prescription glasses or contact lenses. These problems can impact you regardless of your age. If you hope to get LASIK or are interested in learning more about the procedure and the ideal age range for this procedure, read on.

What happens during LASIK?

LASIK targets the cornea, the clear dome at the front of your eye that performs the initial refraction of light onto your lens. It’s one of the most important parts of vision. During the procedure, your surgeon will use a specialized laser to remove tiny amounts of corneal tissue, reshaping it to accurately focus light onto your retina and lens. In LASIK eye surgery, a thin flap is first created in the cornea using a laser or blade. The underlying tissue is then reshaped with the laser and the flap is folded back into place. There are alternative procedures, such as AST, that do not use a flap that can be better for those with thinner corneas.

Recovery after LASIK eye surgery is typically fairly minimal. Though you may experience some mild eye pain or discomfort as well as changes in your vision, most patients begin to notice improvements very quickly. After you get LASIK, someone will need to drive you home and your doctor will advise you to rest your eyes and refrain from any strenuous activity for a day or two. Typically, patients are able to return to their everyday lives within a few days.

How can your vision benefit from LASIK eye surgery?

LASIK can potentially improve vision for people of many ages with the following refractive errors:

• Myopia (nearsightedness): Difficulty seeing distant objects clearly.
• Hyperopia (farsightedness): Difficulty seeing near objects clearly.
• Astigmatism: Blurry vision at all distances, caused by an irregularly shaped cornea.

Additionally, some of the benefits of LASIK include:

• Freedom from corrective lenses: Little to no dependency on glasses or contact lenses after LASIK, offering convenience and a wider field of vision.
• Improved visual quality: Sharper vision, especially at a distance or for near tasks.
• Enhanced self-esteem and confidence: Feeling less self-conscious about glasses or contact lenses.
• Active lifestyle compatibility: Enjoying sports and activities without worrying about glasses or a stray contact lens falling out.

What makes for a good LASIK candidate?

There are a multitude of factors that may make you eligible for LASIK eye surgery. Typically, a good LASIK candidate is in stable general health overall regardless of age and free from certain eye conditions like autoimmune disease or severe dry eye syndrome. Additionally, this person will lead an active lifestyle or profession where eyeglasses or contact lenses are inconvenient or impractical. A good candidate for LASIK will have a healthy cornea that is thick enough for the procedure (although there are options for patients with thinner corneas who are hoping to undergo LASIK). Finally, the majority of ophthalmologists will require their LASIK patients to be over 18 years of age. If this description sounds like you, it is very possible you are a good candidate for this procedure.

What are the benefits of waiting to get LASIK at a certain age?

For hopeful LASIK candidates on the younger side, it is important to know that most eye care providers will not perform LASIK on a patient any age younger than 18 (although there are some cases in which children with severe vision problems can undergo the procedure). They often will request that you wait at least a few more years after you turn 18 to get laser surgery. This is because vision has the tendency to continue changing with age and into early adulthood. Most eye experts agree that it is not ideal to undergo LASIK until someone is at least 18-20 years old. The FDA has approved LASIK eye surgery for those 18 and over, but the majority of providers will encourage younger patients to wait until their mid-20s to get LASIK to see how their vision might change before undergoing surgery.

Is there a best age to get LASIK eye surgery?

People of many ages can get LASIK and see excellent, life-changing results. While every patient is different and there is no universal rule or age for everyone, we see many patients who receive LASIK surgery between ages 25 and 40. This is because your prescription for contact lenses and eyeglasses have likely stabilized by the time you’re 25, and 40 is the approximate age when you might start to reach for reading glasses. Thus, the 25-40 range is the sweet spot of vision stability: your vision is no longer changing but you’re also not losing vision acuity due to aging.

Is LASIK surgery beneficial if you’re older than 40?

Numerous patients over 40 years of age undergo LASIK and benefit from the results immensely. If you’re in good health, a non-smoker, and have no family history of medical problems such as corneal disorders, glaucoma, or diabetes, you are likely also a good candidate for LASIK, regardless of how old you are.

What about for seniors?

For those above 55, you very well might be a good candidate for LASIK as well. While there is no upper age limit that prevents seniors from undergoing the procedure, there are several factors that should be taken into consideration. For example, cataracts impact a significant number of people over 60. It is possible to undergo both cataract surgery and LASIK surgery separately. If this is your plan, be sure to consult experts with experience in both LASIK eye surgery and cataract surgery, such as Dr. Weber and Dr. Beran here at Columbus Laser & Cataract Center. They will be able to offer the best treatment plan tailored to you, including any streamlined options. For example, it is sometimes possible for the implantable lenses used in cataract surgery to improve the refractive errors you are looking to fix with LASIK. Overall, if you are 60 years or older and in good health, you might still be a good candidate for LASIK.

How to know when the time is right for LASIK

LASIK does not discriminate by age. Determining the right time to have LASIK involves several factors, and it’s essential to consult a qualified ophthalmologist for a comprehensive evaluation before making any decisions. While many choose LASIK between the mid-20s and early 40s, it depends on a host of factors, such as your prescriptions, lifestyle, and personal health history which are not necessarily correlated with your age. Consider carefully whether or not the benefits of this procedure will enhance or simplify your ability to do everyday activities as well as just your vision.

Overall, the most important part of your LASIK journey will be selecting the right eye surgeon. It is very important to choose doctors with ample experience, expertise, and compassion. Dr. Weber and Dr. Beran of Columbus Laser & Cataract Center have decades of combined experience and have helped countless patients of varying ages restore their vision and improve their quality of life. If you have any more questions or would like to schedule a LASIK consult, please call us at 614-939-1600 or visit our website at columbuslaser.com.