What Is The Ideal Age For LASIK? Article

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What is the Ideal Age for LASIK?

In considering what the best age for LASIK surgery is, you must also consider your prescription stability.

Author: Sara Goldstein

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If your prescription has been stable for 1-2 years, a good age for LASIK tends to be from the late 20s and through the 30s; by this time your vision is, most likely, no longer undergoing significant changes.
Minimum Age, Ideal Age for LASIK Surgery

The FDA has approved certain lasers for use in LASIK surgery; however, the FDA has not approved any laser to be used in LASIK for a person under the age of 18. The rationale for this age requirement has to do with the maturation of eyes. As a teenager and young adult, your vision is still changing and developing. Having LASIK surgery before vision development is complete can result in a decline in vision after LASIK. If you have LASIK and then experience vision changes, additional procedures may be required to correct for those changes. Some doctors recommend patients wait until the age of 21 to have LASIK because vision may still be developing at this age.

30s: A Good Age to get LASIK

Although you will be a candidate for LASIK at 18 and into your early 20s, it may be best to wait a little longer. Even in your 20s, vision may still be developing, and waiting longer allows you time to be certain that LASIK is the treatment option you prefer above others. In your 30s, your vision will most likely not undergo any major changes.

People much older than their 30s have had successful LASIK surgery as well. Once again, a determining factor is whether your prescription has been stable for the past 1-2 years. As a candidate ages, distinguishing between vision problems is important. Presbyopia is a normal aging of the eyes and is often corrected by the use of reading glasses. LASIK is not a treatment for most cases of presbyopia. LASIK is also not a treatment for cataracts, which requires surgery to replace the eye lens.

Importance of Prescription Stability

At any age, a primary factor used in determining your candidacy for LASIK is prescription stability. Having a stable prescription for 1-2 years prior is an indication that your vision is no longer undergoing significant changes.

About Author

Dr. Gary Kawesch is the leading provider of eye care and LASIK in the San Francisco Bay Area. Other eye care offered includes Custom LASIK, Wavefront treatment, No-Blade LASIK, thin-flap LASIK, LASEK, PRK, implantable contact lenses, refractice lens exchange and more. Contact Laser Eye Center of Silicon Valley to schedule a free LASIK consultation.

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What is the Ideal Age for LASIK?