What Is the Best Age for LASIK?
- Posted on: Oct 14 2020
Mark Twain once quipped: “Age is an issue of mind over matter. If you don’t mind, it doesn’t matter.” That’s certainly true when it comes to LASIK. Patients young and old can benefit from this proven vision correction procedure, as long as the eyes are healthy and the prescription has remained stable.
Below, experienced New York City ophthalmologist Dr. Gregory Pamel outlines variables for patients of any age to consider when making the decision to choose LASIK.
Optimal LASIK Timing
Up until our early to mid-20s, our eyes continue to change before settling on a more stable range of vision. That is why LASIK is not recommended for persons under 18, and patients under 30 should also consider waiting if their prescription has changed within the past year. If LASIK is performed while your vision is still maturing, you may need a revision at a later date.
Age also affects your chance of regression. A study published in the Journal of Cataract & Refractive Surgery found a correlation between age and permanence with LASIK. Patients were monitored over an 18-year period. When regression was noticed years after LASIK, it was much more pronounced in those over 40, and more common among women than men.
In the few cases in which nearsightedness, farsightedness or astigmatism reappears years after a LASIK procedure, it will rarely be as extreme as it was before the surgery. Patients who do experience a slight regression often opt for a LASIK enhancement procedure, which is essentially a tweaking of the cornea’s shape to correct for any vision changes.
At age 40 and above, most of us will also develop presbyopia, the farsightedness that tends to make reading more difficult. Even with LASIK, you may need to use reading glasses at this point in your life. For some patients, a modified form of LASIK called monovision LASIK can be performed to correct presbyopia. Older individuals may also sometimes need to rely on lenses for night driving, although this is not common.
Other Factors
Your age is a factor in deciding when you should choose LASIK, but there are also a few conditions that you and your surgeon will want to consider. If you are pregnant or nursing, you should delay the procedure, as changes in hormones can actually affect your vision. Prospective patients with chronic dry eye, past eye surgeries and autoimmune disorders that interfere with healing will, in most cases, want to explore other alternatives. If you were born with large pupils, you are more likely to experience halos or nighttime glare after the procedure; and if your corneas do not have sufficient thickness, reshaping them with LASIK is not practical. In that case, PRK is a better choice.
To learn more about LASIK, schedule an appointment with Dr. Pamel at his Manhattan or Astoria office by contacting Pamel Vision & Laser Group today.
Posted in: LASIK
