LASIK, or Laser-Assisted In Situ Keratomileusis, is a surgical procedure designed to correct common vision problems like nearsightedness, farsightedness, and astigmatism. It works by reshaping the cornea, the clear front surface of the eye, to improve how light focuses on the retina. The goal of LASIK is to reduce or eliminate the need for glasses or contact lenses.
Minimum Age for LASIK
The United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has set the minimum age for LASIK eye surgery at 18 years old. This age marks a point where ocular development has reached maturity. While 18 is the minimum, many surgeons and clinics prefer patients to be slightly older, often recommending 21 years of age or even later. This preference stems from the understanding that vision stability is a crucial factor for successful outcomes.
Vision continues to change for many individuals throughout their late teens and early twenties. Waiting until the early to mid-twenties can help ensure that eye prescriptions have settled, providing a more reliable foundation for the laser correction.
Why Age Matters for LASIK Eligibility
During adolescence and early adulthood, hormonal fluctuations can cause changes in the eye’s shape and refractive error. If LASIK is performed while the eye’s prescription is still changing, the results may not be long-lasting, potentially leading to a need for further correction.
The eye’s prescription must be stable for at least one to two years before LASIK. This stability allows ophthalmologists to obtain accurate measurements, which are essential for precisely programming the laser that reshapes the cornea. An unstable prescription means the correction might be based on an outdated measurement, leading to suboptimal or temporary results. This can necessitate enhancement procedures later.
Additional Eligibility Criteria
Beyond age, several other factors determine a person’s suitability for LASIK. A stable vision prescription, meaning it has not significantly changed for at least one to two years, is a primary requirement.
Good overall eye health is important, free from active eye infections, inflammation, or injuries. The cornea must possess sufficient thickness, as LASIK involves creating a thin flap and removing tissue from the underlying corneal bed. Most corneas range from 500 to 600 micrometers in thickness, and a minimum residual stromal bed of 250 micrometers is recommended after the procedure to maintain corneal integrity. The specific amount of tissue removed depends on the degree of refractive error, so individuals with higher prescriptions require thicker corneas. Additionally, the patient’s refractive error must fall within a treatable range for LASIK to be effective.
Conditions That Prevent LASIK
Certain medical conditions or circumstances can prevent an individual from being a suitable candidate for LASIK, even if they meet age and general health criteria. Autoimmune diseases, such as lupus or rheumatoid arthritis, can impair healing and increase the risk of complications like corneal melting, making LASIK inadvisable. Patients with well-controlled autoimmune conditions may be considered on a case-by-case basis.
Severe dry eye syndrome is a common contraindication, as LASIK can exacerbate existing dryness and discomfort. Conditions that affect corneal structure, such as very thin corneas or keratoconus, where the cornea progressively thins and bulges, also disqualify candidates due to the risk of worsening vision.
Uncontrolled diabetes can hinder healing and cause fluctuating vision, making LASIK unsafe. Patients with diabetes must have their blood sugar levels well-managed, often with stable HbA1c results, and no signs of diabetic retinopathy. Pre-existing eye diseases like glaucoma or cataracts can also preclude LASIK, as the surgery does not address these underlying conditions. Pregnancy and nursing are temporary contraindications due to hormonal changes that can affect vision stability and concerns about medication absorption.