LASIK, or Laser-Assisted In Situ Keratomileusis, is a widely recognized surgical procedure designed to correct common vision problems like nearsightedness, farsightedness, and astigmatism. It offers many individuals the opportunity to reduce their dependence on glasses or contact lenses. While popular, LASIK is not suitable for everyone, and a person’s age is a significant factor in determining their eligibility for the procedure.
The Minimum Age for LASIK
The minimum age for LASIK surgery is 18 years old. This age requirement is in place because the human eye continues to develop throughout adolescence. Before adulthood, the eyes are still growing, and a person’s vision prescription is likely to fluctuate. Performing LASIK on eyes that are still undergoing these changes could lead to less precise and potentially unstable results over time, diminishing the long-term effectiveness of the surgery.
Beyond the Minimum: Vision Stability
Even if an individual is 18 years or older, the stability of their vision prescription is an important consideration for LASIK candidacy. Ophthalmologists require a patient’s eye prescription to have remained stable for a significant period, usually 12 to 24 months, before considering them for surgery. Stability means that the corrective lenses needed have not changed by more than 0.5 diopters during this time. If the prescription continues to change, the benefits of the surgery will diminish, potentially requiring further corrective procedures.
Other Eligibility Considerations
Beyond age and vision stability, several other factors influence whether someone is a suitable candidate for LASIK. Overall eye health is thoroughly assessed, including conditions such as glaucoma, cataracts, severe dry eye, or thin corneas. Certain general health conditions, including autoimmune diseases like lupus or rheumatoid arthritis, and uncontrolled diabetes, can also affect the healing process or the safety of the procedure. Additionally, hormonal changes during pregnancy and breastfeeding can temporarily alter vision, making it advisable to postpone LASIK until vision has restabilized.
No Upper Age Limit
There is no strict upper age limit for LASIK surgery. The decision for older individuals is based more on their overall eye health and the absence of contraindications rather than chronological age. As people age, however, they are more likely to develop other age-related eye conditions, such as cataracts or presbyopia. In such cases, while LASIK can still correct distance vision, other procedures like Refractive Lens Exchange (RLE) might be more appropriate as they can address both refractive errors and the eye’s natural lens changes.