Unfortunately, no one is exempt from aging. Although we’re getting closer to our golden years, we may be starting to see life differently—literally. As we age, our vision also deteriorates, making it difficult for us to perform daily tasks. Although there are effective treatments such as LASIK, many are worried that they may have missed the time frame to get it.
People get LASIK because they want to stop using glasses and contacts. Of course, there are certain qualifications before you can actually get the treatment, so it’s best to speak to the best laser eye doctor about this before heading in for the jump.
Although LASIK doesn’t have an age limit, a particular age range is getting the treatment. The reason is that there is a time when our eyes are stable enough to get LASIK, and then it could change after that. Truth be told, there is a LASIK sweet spot in our younger years, making it the safest and most effective time to get it.
But just because there’s a sweet spot doesn’t mean you should deprive yourself of vision correction, treatment, right?
Who Can Get LASIK?
When it comes to LASIK, the only explicit age requirement that exists is the minimum age requirement, which is 18, according to the FDA. And since 18 is the minimum legal age for LASIK, the best ophthalmologists won’t perform it until you reach your mid-twenties, which is perfect since your vision prescription begins to stabilize.
One of the factors that eye doctors check before suggesting LASIK surgery is if the patient has stable vision, meaning you’ve had consistent eyesight for a year or two. And when it comes to an age range, patients are often in their twenties up to forty years old since this is when your eyes are most stable and healthy.
Eye doctors don’t recommend LASIK before or after these ages because, at this age, your eyes are changing, making it dangerous for vision correction procedures.
Are There Exemptions to the LASIK Age Rules?
Of course, there are outliers to this age range, but these are often considered exceptional cases. Some of the most common exceptions are athletes, military personnel, and first responders.
These exemptions are given to them because their vision is an important factor for their jobs, and having contacts and glasses may pose more risk. On the other hand, children with severe vision impairment also get an exemption for LASIK.
Regardless of the age range and who are exempted for early or late LASIK, you should still know that a screening process is necessary since it carries some risk like any medical procedure.
Am I Too Old for LASIK?
Once your age gets closer to forty, you’ll start to experience vision changes, requiring you to use glasses since you may also start to develop cataracts. Though cataracts don’t affect your vision for a few decades, you’ll need reading glasses anyway since you’ll develop presbyopia.
Presbyopia doesn’t get treated through LASIK, but when you reach forty, you may be recommended to use a refractive lens exchange, which is quite similar to cataract surgery as it replaces your natural lens or IOL.
The great thing about IOL is that it performs the same function as LASIK as it corrects nearsightedness, farsightedness, and astigmatism. So if you’ve reached your sixties, IOL could be a great alternative.
The Bottom Line: Speak to a Trusted Ophthalmologist About Vision Correction
LASIK surgery comes with its own set of risks; that’s why it’s a good idea to speak to your ophthalmologist first to see if you’re qualified for LASIK surgery. Vision correction is crucial as you age, so it only makes sense to connect with the best eye doctor for your vision.
This blog post does not replace medical advice and should not be implemented prior to consulting a fully certified medical professional.
How Can We Help?
If you’re looking for the best ophthalmologists in Abbotsford, you’ve come to the right place.
Valley Laser Eye Centre is a vision correction center in Abbotsford, BC. We use state-of-the-art technology and provide a comfortable setting with the best client service for our patients. Book an appointment with us today!
