How Does Your Age Affect Whether You Should Get LASIK?
Age is often a big factor when considering LASIK. As previously mentioned, anyone who is under the age of 18 would usually be disqualified from having LASIK eye surgery. This is because refractive errors have typically not stabilized by this age. The FDA has approved LASIK for people who are at least 18 years of age, but young adults are often cautioned to wait until vision is stable (doesn’t change on a yearly basis) before considering LASIK.
On the flip side, some middle-aged persons and almost all seniors are not ideal candidates for LASIK. This is because the eyes begin to change around age 40. This is a condition known as presbyopia, which can make it difficult for people to see objects within an arm’s length. LASIK cannot correct this condition. Also, as individuals grow older, certain eye diseases such as glaucoma and cataracts can prevent them from being good candidates for this procedure.
While not everyone over age 40 is completely pleased with LASIK as a stand-alone procedure, there are many laser vision correction options for people over 40. Doctors can correct one eye for near and one eye for distance, called monovision, which gives the stereo effect of wearing multifocal lenses. Other changes to the way the laser is used can reduce astigmatism, and there are even surgical implants that may be better options than using a laser to correct for reading vision. The surgical implants, or other inlays, are usually done in the ophthalmologist’s office at the same time as the laser vision correction.
IS IT WORTH THE MONEY TO BUY LASIK IF YOU’RE OVER 40?
As the eye ages, cataracts develop. This most often requires surgery at around age 65. The cataract is completely independent of the benefits of LASIK. Some long-term contact lens wearers are thrilled to find that LASIK technology has improved to the point where having LASIK in your 40s or 50s can give you 5 or 10 years of really good vision before cataracts form. However, this group is split among their opinions on the price. For some contact lens wearers in their 40s or 50s, however, they believe that purchasing LASIK is a great value compared to the possibility of spending another decade in contact lenses. For many glasses wearers, they feel the cost of surgery isn’t a good value when cataracts are going to negate the effects of LASIK. Ultimately, the choice is up to you.
Are you ready to learn more about LASIK, and find out whether you might be a good candidate for the procedure? Our wonderful staff at The Eye Care Institute, would love to help answer any questions you may have.
We’re delighted to offer free LASIK consultations to anyone who wishes to learn more.
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