LASIK and Aging: Is LASIK Worth It Over 40?
Age is just a number, and this saying is especially true when it comes to LASIK surgery. Although, there’s a misconception that LASIK has an age limit and that you might be “too old” for this common procedure. But your candidacy for LASIK is not based on age at all — instead, it’s based on eye health.
Continue reading to learn if you are still a LASIK candidate and whether an alternative corrective eye surgery may better fit your needs.
Can LASIK Surgery Correct Aging Eyes?
At its core, LASIK is designed to correct vision at one distance by reshaping the cornea. This alteration addresses refractive errors like farsightedness, nearsightedness, and some levels of astigmatism. But with aging eyes, refractive errors like presbyopia (age-related farsightedness) occur due to a loss of elasticity and flexibility in the natural lens, rather than the eye’s inherent shape. As such, LASIK can neither correct nor prevent these changes. So, many patients will still require reading glasses for their near vision after surgery as their lens continues to stiffen.
Thankfully, there are several options that correct presbyopia, existing refractive errors, and even cataracts in one procedure. Refractive Lens Exchange (RLE) is one such LASIK alternative for seniors that addresses the above problems by replacing the natural lens with an artificial implant. There are numerous monofocal, multifocal, and trifocal implants to choose from that provide your best vision at various distances and completely remove the need for glasses.
Depending on your eye health, the top eye doctors in greater Dallas may also suggest cataract surgery as another alternative.
Is There a Recommended Age Range for LASIK?
Currently, the only LASIK surgery recommended age limit established by the FDA for LASIK surgery is a minimum of 18 years old.
Essentially, LASIK candidacy is based on the same general factors for all ages:
- Eye health
- Overall health
Read our blog to determine if you are a good candidate for LASIK based on these requirements.
Nevertheless, because adult vision is the healthiest from 19 to 40, this range is the most common LASIK surgery recommended age. Aside from developing presbyopia, age also increases the chance of cataracts in patients over 50. Therefore, if you show any early signs of cataracts or are at an age where cataract development is high, then our eye doctors may offer a different treatment option.
Is LASIK Worth It Over 40?
Any change that offers a permanent solution to improve your eyesight is well worth it, whether it’s LASIK or one of our other surgical options. Keep in mind that even after surgery, age-related changes, including presbyopia, cataracts and glaucoma, can still alter your vision, meaning your results may not be as strong with LASIK.
If you’re worried that your age may stop you from living a life free of corrective wear, then schedule a complimentary consultation with Kleiman Evangelista Eye Centers. We will conduct various assessments on your eyes to determine the best long-term solution to restore your vision and remove your need for glasses or contacts for the foreseeable future, no matter your age.