In general, the average age range for undergoing LASIK surgery is between 20 and 40 years. The FDA has approved LASIK eye surgery for people 18 and older, but most providers recommend that patients wait until their mid-20s after their prescription has stabilized. The most popular time to have LASIK surgery is between the ages of 35 and 40. At this time, patients' vision is more stable and they are more likely to be able to afford treatment.
Many doctors believe that these patients prefer more years of active lifestyles with less dependence on eyeglasses and contact lenses. Therefore, the average age of LASIK patients is decreasing every year. People are starting to think of surgery as an investment that saves their eyesight and the cost of eyeglasses or contact lenses. LASIK is approved by the FDA for anyone 18 years of age or older.
This is the only strict age limit rule for this procedure, but since adult vision is typically healthiest between the ages of 19 and 40, anyone who falls within this range is a great candidate. While you've received a lot of information about whether LASIK eye surgery or RLE may be right for you, the only person who can determine that is a doctor who specializes in eye surgery, such as the eye doctors at the Southwestern Eye Center. Photorefractive keratectomy or PRK eye surgery often help people with vision problems who want to rely less on eyeglasses or contact lenses. In eyes with normal vision, the cornea refracts light precisely into the retina at the back of the eye. When it comes to laser eye surgery, most eye doctors recommend performing the LASIK procedure between the ages of 25 and 40.
According to the American Academy of Ophthalmology, a LASIK patient must be over 21 years old, since that is when they are most likely to have major eye changes. If you are in good health, have a stable eye prescription, are over 21 years old and want to get rid of your eyeglasses or contact lenses, see an eye doctor to see if LASIK surgery is right for you. While there is no upper age limit for laser eye surgery, the results of these surgeries are less predictable as the patient ages. Kraff successfully performed the first excimer laser procedures in the Chicago metropolitan area using the Excimer VISX laser. People of all ages have vision problems, and LASIK eye surgery has become increasingly popular among adults with refractive defects, such as myopia, hyperopia and astigmatism.
During your consultation, you will have a complete eye exam to identify any conditions that may interfere with your candidacy for surgery. During surgery, the dominant eye is treated to correct distance vision and the other eye to correct near vision. Monovision treatment involves an ophthalmologist correcting one eye for hyperopia and another for myopia, according to the Flaum Eye Institute. LASIK eye surgery uses a special type of cutting laser to precisely change the shape of the transparent dome-shaped tissue of the cornea to help improve vision. They will perform a comprehensive exam and evaluate if LASIK eye surgery or RLE can change your life for the better.
While this eye disease doesn't exclude a person from future LASIK opportunities, cataract surgery takes precedence. In conclusion, while there are some general guidelines to help identify the ideal age for laser eye surgery, it's important to remember that only an experienced ophthalmologist can determine if you're a good candidate for this procedure. If you're in good health and have a stable prescription, you may be able to benefit from laser eye surgery regardless of your age.