Have you been thinking about getting LASIK? Are you wondering if there are age requirements for those that have LASIK?
LASIK is considered one of the safest and most successful surgeries that exist. One of the reasons it has this reputation is because of the requirements candidates have to meet to qualify for the procedure.
LASIK is usually considered safer than wearing contact lenses. It sounds crazy but it’s true! Keep reading to learn more about LASIK and 2 reasons why maturity is an important part of LASIK candidacy!
Are You A Good LASIK Candidate?
One of the most important things to consider is if your eye doctor thinks you are a good candidate for LASIK. The minimum requirements include:
- Being at least 18 years old
- Having healthy eyes
- Having corneas that are thick enough
- Having the right pupil size
- Your eyes are free of certain conditions and you don’t have any disorders like lupus and rheumatoid arthritis
- Your glasses prescription is within the required range
- You have a stable glasses prescription
- You’re in good health
- You are not currently pregnant
- You have realistic expectations about what LASIK can do
Even though these are the minimum requirements, there are always reasons why you might not be a candidate for LASIK. You need to talk to your eye doctor to see if you qualify.
You must be at least 18 years old before you can even think about having LASIK. There are a few things that go into why this is so important.
1. Stable Prescription
When you’re younger, your eyes are still developing. This means that your prescription is still changing.
Some people may have vision that’s more stable when they are 18 but this is more common in your mid to late twenties. Having a stable prescription is important if you want your LASIK procedure to be successful.
Most eye doctors and LASIK surgeons recommend patients wait until their mid-twenties before LASIK. This is because there’s a good chance your prescription could still be changing.
If you’re under 18, your eyes will continue changing due to puberty. Hormones wreak havoc on everything and your eyes are no exception.
You must wait until you’re at least 18 and your eyes haven’t changed in at least a year before you can have LASIK.
2. Healthy Eyes
To make LASIK safe, you need to have healthy eyes. To consider getting LASIK, you need to have healthy eyes.
If you have certain eye conditions, you are not a good candidate. This can include conditions like dry eye syndrome or Sjogren’s syndrome.
If you have dry eyes, you’ll need to have them under control before LASIK.
When are most adults’ eyes mature?
The most popular age range for having LASIK is between 20 and 40 years old. During this range, adults usually have stable vision and healthier eyes.
Around age 40, your eyes begin changing again. Your vision will begin decreasing. Eye conditions may start developing and you have an increased chance of developing presbyopia.
LASIK will not fix presbyopia. Adults who are 60 and older are more likely to develop cataracts.
Yes, you could have LASIK at 70 or 80 years old, but it depends on if you have no other conditions holding you back. After considering your eye health and age, your eye doctor will determine when your eyes are mature enough for LASIK.
Are you interested in getting LASIK? Schedule a LASIK consultation at Metro Eye Care in Paramus, NJ!
There’s only one way to find out if clearer vision could be waiting for you in your future!
