What age is the Best for Getting Lasik?

                                                                 

Age can affect your candidacy for LASIK eye surgery. Generally, there is no set age for LASIK eye surgery. However, most LASIK eye surgeons, will not perform the procedure on people under the age of 18 as vision keeps on changing into early adulthood. Laser eye surgery has been performed on children with severe vision problems, but these cases are the exception to the rule. Generally, the best age for getting LASIK is between 20 and 40 years of age.

The approved age for getting LASIK eye surgery is 18 years and older, but most doctors advise their patients to wait until their mid-20s after their prescription has been stabilized. Here is a breakdown of LASIK facts by age range.

LASIK: 18-24

The FDA has approved LASIK for people over 18, but it might be a good idea to wait a few more years. Till the age of 24, the eyesight continues to change, so most of the time a LASIK eye surgeon will not recommend the procedure for those who are under the age of 25. However, those who are in the military, law enforcement, and professional athletes may be given special consideration.

LASIK: 25-40

Generally, most LASIK eye surgeons consider the age of 25-40 as the ideal age range for LASIK eye surgery. By the age of 25, eyeglasses and contact lens prescriptions are likely to be stabilized. A stable prescription is one of the factors for a good LASIK candidate. As before the age of 25, the prescription may still be changing.

LASIK: 40–55

There may be chances of you having the need to wear a pair of reading glasses after you turn 40 even if your vision has been good prior to this age. This doesn’t mean you will not be a good LASIK candidate, though. If you’re a non-smoker with good health and with no history of medical problems, you have a good chance of being a suitable candidate for LASIK eye surgery. A family history of corneal disorders, glaucoma, and diabetes is considered for this age group.

LASIK: 56 and up

There is no upper age limit that prevents seniors from having LASIK eye surgery, but many factors should be taken into consideration before a senior is approved as a candidate for surgery. Cataracts, an eye condition that affects seniors, are one of the main reasons that someone in this age group can be considered ineligible. If you are of 60 years with clear eyesight, you might be considered a good candidate. If your cataracts have developed, it is the priority for surgical treatment but it does not exclude a patient from any future LASIK or other refractive lens surgeries. During your consultation, you should let your eye surgeon know about any medications you are taking

LASIK may benefit you at any age

Good health, good family medical history, and a stable prescription are the important factors for you to be a suitable candidate for LASIK eye surgery.