LASIK is a great option for many people who suffer from poor eyesight. But one question many people have before considering this procedure is what the best age is to get LASIK? There is a right and wrong age for LASIK.
The Best Age For LASIK
Generally, the perfect candidate for LASIK is someone
between the ages of 20 and 40. This is because a major determining factor in
LASIK candidacy is a stable eye prescription for at least two years. Just as
your body grows and matures through adolescence, so do your eyes. Research
shows that your eyes begin to stabilize and your prescription is more likely to
remain steady after the age of 20.
LASIK for Teens
Although LASIK is a safe and effective way to improve vision, the FDA has not approved the procedure for people under the age of 18 because their eyes are not fully developed. In some cases, a person’s eyes may not fully develop until the age of 21. A teenager who undergoes LASIK surgery when their eyes are not fully developed will find the results to be temporary and may need corrective surgery in the future.
Older LASIK Patients
Older patients typically suffer from age-related conditions
that cannot be treated with LASIK surgery, such as cataracts, and therefore may
not be good candidates for the LASIK procedure. Cataracts occur when the
natural lens in the eye becomes cloudy, resulting in blurred vision. It is one
of the leading causes of vision loss among older people. Patients with
cataracts should consider undergoing cataract surgery, in which the eye’s
natural lens is replaced by an artificial lens.
The benefits of LASIK have convinced millions of people to undergo this procedure. To determine whether you are a good candidate for LASIK surgery, schedule a consultation with one of our doctors in Colton by contacting Inland Eye Institute at 909-937-9230 or inlandeye.com.
