LASIK Facts

LASIK eye surgery is a modern laser eye surgery technique preferred by many people with less than perfect visual acuity. However, not everyone is a candidate for this kind of surgery. There are factors that need to be considered such as the patient’s health status, certain medical condition and the age.

FDA-approved age group

This surgical procedure was FDA approved in 1998. Accordingly, FDA doesn’t allow children and teens under the age of 18 to undergo the procedure. Doctors even recommend patients to wait until they reach the age of 21 in order to have the surgery.

The reason why patient must be at least 18 years old is that the vision of a person normally changes significantly during the teenage years up to early adulthood. If you were to undergo the procedure and you experience major changes in your vision, your visual perception may decline considerably. Some doctors can manage to correct the problem but majority of patients may once again end up wearing contact lenses or corrective glasses.

Another reason to wait is for you to have a chance in selecting other eye surgery. It is important to note that Lasik is not the only surgical technique used to improve or fix your vision.

There’s really no ideal age to undergo LASIK Eye Surgery but according to researches there are certain age groups that can benefit greatly from this surgery. Experts suggest that patients in their 40s, 50s and even 60s can get good results from the surgery as long as they have a realistic expectation and goal.

Am I too old for the surgery?

Believe it or not, there’s no maximum age for Lasik eye surgery. However, the health of your eye and your overall well being must first be assessed by an eye care specialist to determine if you’re a good candidate for the procedure.

Assessment is very important to detect age-related cataracts, corneal thinning and glaucoma. If these conditions are present then there’s a possibility that this surgery may be difficult or impossible to perform.