Introduction :
You should not keep the forecast from influencing your decision about when to have LASIK. There is no season when LASIK can’t be performed successfully because it is unaffected by environmental factors like humidity and temperature. However, if you tend to be very active during a specific time of year, there may be better times to get LASIK. Many people prefer to postpone surgery until after the summer months so that they can enjoy summertime water sports like boating, swimming, and waterskiing without worrying about how their recovery will affect them.
LASIK doesn’t require you to put your life on hold. LASIK is easily integrated into a busy schedule thanks to its minimal recovery time. While some patients recover quickly enough to return to work, taking a few days off after surgery is still a good idea. If your job is physically demanding, you might want to go ahead and take a week off, as strenuous activity can interfere with the healing process. Remember to factor in your post-op appointments when scheduling LASIK surgery if you have a big event coming up on the calendar.
Eligibility:
You can get LASIK if you’re at least 18 years old, regardless of your age. Many professionals agree that between the ages of 21 and 40 is the sweet spot for getting the procedure done. That’s because, even though LASIK is legal for anyone over 18, some people still wait until they’re 21 because their eyes may have changed in that time.
Presbyopia, which can affect the eyes of anyone over the age of 40, often necessitates a procedure called monovision, in which only one eye is corrected. Cataract surgery may be preferable for the elderly, who also suffer from dry eyes. Scheduling is not a major factor with LASIK, but choosing the right doctor is extremely important.
Age Factor:
Your eligibility for LASIK eye surgery may be affected by your age, but this is only sometimes the case. The truth is that there is no minimum or maximum age requirement for LASIK. However, most LASIK eye surgeons will not perform the procedure on anyone younger than 18, as the vision continues to develop even into early adulthood. Children with severe vision problems are the exception, not the rule when it comes to laser eye surgery.
- In general, the average age range for getting LASIK is between 20 and 40 years old. Although the FDA has cleared 18-year-olds for LASIK surgery, most doctors recommend waiting until a patient’s prescription has stabilized in their mid-20s. Keep reading for information about LASIK that is broken down by age group.
Age Group of 18-24: Although the Food and Drug Administration has cleared LASIK for adults aged 18 and up, it may be prudent to hold off for the time being. Only after the age of 24, our eyesight continues to change, so it is not often that a LASIK eye surgeon will recommend the procedure for those under the age of 25 to the general public. People in the armed forces, law enforcement, and professional sports may be given preferential treatment.
Age Group of 25-40: Because of these factors, most LASIK eye surgeons agree that people between the ages of 25 and 40 are the best candidates for the procedure. Prescriptions for glasses or contacts tend to level off by the time a person reaches the age of 25. A good LASIK candidate will have a stable prescription. Before you turn 25, your doctor may still be making adjustments to your glasses or contacts
Age Group of 40-55: After the age of 40, it’s almost inevitable that you’ll need a pair of reading glasses, even if you’ve been blessed with 20/20 vision your whole life. Even so, you may still be a good candidate for LASIK. Your LASIK eye surgeon is more likely to give you the go-ahead if you are a nonsmoker in generally good health with no significant medical history. Corneal disorders, glaucoma, and diabetes all run in families and should be taken into account for children of this age.
If you’re 56 or older, LASIK may be an option. Although there is no hard and fast age restriction on LASIK surgery, many factors must be considered before an elderly adult is given the go-ahead for the procedure. Cataracts, an eye condition most often affecting seniors, is one of the reasons someone in this age group is considered ineligible. To be considered, you’ll need to be at least 60 years old and have good eyesight. If cataracts have formed, they must be surgically removed as soon as possible, but this does not preclude the patient from undergoing LASIK or another refractive lens surgery in the future. Any medications you are currently taking should be disclosed to your eye surgeon during your consultation.
Conclusion:
No blanket rule applies to every patient. In fact, as laser vision correction technology improves and becomes safer, so do the requirements for having the procedure. Like any other goal you might have, your age is nothing more than a number. Your candidacy for laser vision correction and its likelihood of success depends on the results of a thorough eye examination that also takes into account your specific visual requirements. Finally, a discussion about laser vision correction with your eye doctor should not be discounted because of your age.
