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When it comes to achieving a perfect vision, Lasik is one of the most popular choices preferred by the young as well asthe old. However, a very common factor on the minds of most of the people when it comes to considering Lasik eye surgery is age. ‘What is the maximum Lasik eye surgery age?’ or ‘what is the age limit for Lasik?’ are some of the most frequently asked questions by people considering Lasik.
So, is there really an age limit for undergoing Lasik eye surgery?
The only age limitation when it comes to being suitable for Lasik eye surgery is being over 18. Besides vision stability, there are a lot of change milestones ofthe eyes which impact the Lasik results. These are as explained below:
Change Milestones of Eyes and their Impact on Lasik Results:
- Late Teens to Early Twenties – The eyes undergo changes like the rest of the body and these changes can affect the vision. The vision attains stability in the late teens or early twenties. A stable prescription is important to ensure that the results of Lasik are long-lasting. Hence, most of the ophthalmologists recommend waiting up until mid-20’s to undergo Lasik eye surgery.
- 40’s – Many people during the age bracket of 40 to 55 years start experiencing the effects of presbyopia. It is an eye condition related to the natural aging process and results in problems with the up-close vision due to the reduced flexibility of the lens. For those who are in their 40’s or beyond with presbyopia and are considering Lasik, options such as Monovision should be discussed with the ophthalmologist first.
- 60’s – Changes in clarity of the lens such as cataracts may take place. For some, these changes happen slower and for some these happen faster. Whereas for a small percentage of people, these changes don’t happen significantly. Several factors such as diet, genetics, UV exposure and tobacco consumption play a role in development and progression of cataracts. Hence, it is important to get your eyes regularly examined so that your ophthalmologist can identify early signs of cataracts and assess its rate of growth. In case cataract is determined to be the main reason affecting the quality of your vision, cataract extraction surgery is preferred over Lasik surgery.
Other Factors Affecting Lasik Candidacy
Besides age, ophthalmologists take into account the following factors while determining whether or not a person is a good candidate for Lasik:
- Eye health issues such as cataracts, dry eye syndrome etc., can reduce or eliminate your candidacy for Lasik
- If the pupils are abnormally large, glares or halos may be visible post Lasik surgery
- If the cornea is extremely thin or its surface has an irregular texture, the results of Lasik surgery can be compromised and the vision may become worse than it was prior to the surgery
- Stable prescription for at least a year
- Hormonal changes associated with pregnancy and lactation cause changes in vision and hence Lasik is not preferred during these periods
To sum it up, it’s not the age which matters. Whether you are in your 40’s or 50’s or 60’s, it’s your general and ocular health which affects your candidacy for Lasik eye surgery. Hence, it’s best to consult your ophthalmologist to know how effective can Lasik be in improving your vision so that you can get rid of glasses or contacts.
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