People of all ages can experience vision problems such as myopia (nearsightedness) or hyperopia (farsightedness). If you are tired of wearing eyeglasses or contact lenses, you may be considering other vision correction options. But what is the right age to get LASIK eye surgery, and is it the best step to take for your eye health?
If you are considering LASIK eye surgery, the first step should always be to book a thorough laser eye surgery consultation with your Calgary eye doctor. During this appointment, your optometrist will be able to determine if you are a good candidate for this procedure by:
After this consultation, you will have a better idea of whether or not you are a suitable candidate for laser eye surgery. You’ll also have a greater understanding of what to realistically expect from this procedure and how it can correct your specific refractive error.
At our Calgary eye clinic, our team of professional eye doctors can perform thorough eye exams and laser eye surgery consultations to help determine if this is the right treatment method for you and to help protect your eye health and vision for many years to come.
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LASIK eye surgery is growing more popular amongst men and women who have refractive errors (e.g. myopia and hyperopia) and are tired of wearing eyeglasses or contact lenses. One of the most common questions asked by patients who are considering laser eye surgery is: what is the best age to get LASIK eye surgery?
The answer will vary according to your specific situation, which is why it’s always best to book an appointment with your eye doctor prior to undergoing this surgery. However, here are some criteria that you may want to consider before booking a consultation with your optometrist:
It’s important to understand that the FDA has approved laser eye surgery for patients who are above the age of 18 years old. This is because at this age, your eyes are still developing and your prescription tends to keep changing into early adulthood.
Of course, there are exceptions to this rule and someone younger may be considered for this surgery if they have severe vision problems, parental consent, and a prescription that has stayed constant for at least two years.
Note: If you do undergo laser eye surgery in your teens, keep in mind that the chances of requiring an enhancement procedure later on in life are increased.
While the FDA has approved LASIK eye surgery for patients over the age of 18 years, your eye doctor might suggest waiting for a few more years. Why? Up until the age of 24 years old, your eyesight continues to change and undergoing laser eye surgery too early on might result in an unsatisfactory outcome.
That’s why the procedure is most often recommended for patients above the age of 25 years old. However, if you are a professional athlete or in the military or law enforcement, special consideration may be given.
It is generally agreed that the optimal age for LASIK eye surgery is between 25-40 years old. This is because your eyes have likely fully developed and your prescription has been stable for at least two years.
It is recommended that you stay patient and wait until at least the age of 25 to ensure that the results you get from your laser eye surgery will last for as long as possible.
6 BENEFITS OF OPTING FOR LASIK EYE SURGERY
Even if you were lucky to enjoy perfect vision when you were younger, you’ll likely require a pair of reading glasses after you turn 40. While LASIK eye surgery cannot correct presbyopia, it can be beneficial in this situation by creating monovision. This is when one eye is corrected for near vision and the other eye is stronger for distance vision.
At this age, you might be considered a good candidate for LASIK if you:
Laser Eye Surgery Above the Age of 60
While there is no upper limit preventing seniors from undergoing laser eye surgery, many factors will be taken into consideration before determining if you are a good candidate. Seniors are at a higher risk of developing cataracts, and the priority becomes treating those cataracts before considering LASIK eye surgery or other refractive lens surgeries.
During a consultation, you should also let your eye doctor know about any medications you are taking.
To find out more about the costs and benefits of LASIK eye surgery, or to learn if you are a suitable candidate for this procedure, our team of Calgary eye doctors can help! To book an appointment, contact us at our Crowfoot, West Springs, or Creekside branches or give us a call 403-516-2292.
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Q. Is LASIK Eye Surgery Right for Me? For many people, LASIK eye surgery has great potential to give them clear vision and freedom from eyeglasses or contact lenses. In general, to be a good candidate for LASIK eye surgery, you must be over 18 years old, have good eye health and a stable prescription for at least two years. A consultation with your eye doctor is the best way to determine if you are a good candidate for this procedure.
Q. Is this procedure painful? Many patients report not feeling any pain during this surgery. Anesthetic drops will be used to fully numb your eye before the procedure and you may be given a mild sedative to help you relax. During the laser correction, you can expect to feel a slight pressure sensation around your eye. Following the surgery, your eyes might feel uncomfortable for a few hours. Prescription eye drops can be used to provide comfort and promote healing.
Q. Can both my eyes be treated at the same time? Yes! Many patients find that it is much more convenient to have both eyes treated on the same day. This can be more cost-effective and will lower your overall recovery time.
Blink Eyewear boasts the largest collection of eyewear in Calgary, but our 3 locations are also home to the region’s finest optometrists. Just as you will not find a better store to shop for your eyewear, you will not find a better vision clinic to do your eye exam or treat your eye condition.
Go ahead and Blink; what you see is really what you get. Call one of our store numbers or fill out the form below to book an appointment.