LASIK surgery is one of those surgeries where age does not play a large factor when it comes to the suitability of the patient as a candidate. The main consideration is whether or not the patient has a healthy eye. Doctors also consider someone who is generally healthy, with no serious underlying medical conditions that could affect the outcome of the surgery.
General Considerations
A good candidate for LASIK surgery is someone who otherwise has healthy vision. According to doctors, the lens has to be clear and the patient must understand that LASIK surgery cannot prevent cataract development in the future. According to one eye specialist, the ideal candidates are those with hyperopia or myopia, and who also have astigmatism, but whose eyes need little correction.Over 50
Pre-existing diseases are common in middle-aged and senior patients. This is the reason why LASIK candidates who are over 40 or 50 are considered on a case-to-case basis. Doctors will look for signs of macular degeneration and basement membrane abnormalities; as well as a history of corneal disorders, glaucoma or diabetes. Doctors will also likely look at the medications taken by older patients to see if these pose potential side effects.Under 18
Most eye doctors will not perform LASIK on patients who are under 18 years old. This is because the eye has not yet fully matured, and surgery done could affect the normal growth of eye tissue. In most cases, candidates are advised to wait until they reach 24 or older to have the procedure. However, doctors can perform the surgery on young patients under exceptional circumstances, such as those with severe eye problems that do not respond to conventional treatments.There are no set rules on the age spectrum allowed for LASIK surgery; thus, it’s not really about age as much as it is about the effectiveness of the procedure for each patient- especially those over 50. Experts usually look at industry practices, experience, and each patient’s personal framework to determine who is a good candidate for LASIK surgery, and who is not. If LASIK is right for you, find out now.
