While there is no perfect age for laser vision correction with LASIK or PRK, some age groups are less likely to qualify for the procedure for several reasons related to eye development and health. Our eye surgeon, Dr. Raymond Stein, in Toronto, will discuss your eye health, vision prescription and medical history during your eye exam. He will recommend the vision correction options to help you eliminate glasses and contacts.
Many eye surgeons prefer LASIK patients in the 25 to 40 age range because they’re more likely to have stable prescriptions and aren’t at risk for age-related eye diseases and vision changes.
Your Vision Needs to Stabilize Before LASIK or PRK
LASIK is FDA-approved for people 18 and older, but it’s rare for a patient so young to have the procedure. That’s because the eyes are typically still changing through the teenage years and early 20s. Vision prescription will begin to stabilize with little to no changes to the lens power between eye exams. Typically, vision stops changing by age 25, and LASIK eye surgeons require a stable prescription for at least one year before recommending laser vision correction.
Age-Related Eye Disease and Vision Changes
People 40 and up can still qualify for LASIK eye surgery, but they will likely need reading glasses or “readers” regardless. That’s because LASIK alters the corneal shape to address nearsightedness, farsightedness and astigmatism, but the blurry near vision in your 40s is due to the natural hardening of the eye’s lens. Presbyopia is the name of this condition, and it’s a normal part of aging.
Age-related eye diseases and concerns are an issue in older people interested in LASIK. Cataracts affect most people by the time they reach their 70s, but they develop for many years before causing vision loss. While a cataract may not disqualify you from LASIK, the clouded lens should be addressed before further discussion. Glaucoma and other eye diseases may disqualify or delay LASIK eligibility.
Most people with stable prescriptions and healthy eyes are good candidates for LASIK, no matter their age, but there are some potential issues to keep in mind as you weigh your options in your older years.
Schedule a LASIK consultation with Dr. Stein in Toronto, Ontario, today to see if laser vision correction is the right move for your eyesight and ocular health. Call (416) 960-2020 for an appointment.