When it comes to laser eye surgery, most eye surgeons agree that the ideal age range is between 25 and 40 years old. This is because by this age, prescriptions for eyeglasses and contact lenses have usually stabilized, making it a good time to consider the procedure. LASIK eye surgery is a popular option for adults with refractive defects, such as nearsightedness, farsightedness, and astigmatism. It uses a special type of cutting laser to precisely change the shape of the cornea to help improve vision.
However, not everyone can have this procedure done. The most important factor in determining eligibility is overall eye health. The U. S.
Food and Drug Administration (FDA) only approves LASIK for people 18 years of age and older. Most doctors don't perform LASIK surgery on children and teens since they rarely have stable vision and most children don't need surgery to work. The American Academy of Ophthalmology recommends performing the LASIK procedure between 25 and 40 years of age. People over 45 years of age tend to suffer from changes in vision due to the natural aging process and are more susceptible to eye diseases such as cataracts and refractive vision errors, such as presbyopia.
While there is no upper age limit for laser eye surgery, the results of these surgeries are less predictable as the patient ages. For those over 40 years old who are not viable candidates for LASIK, there is another option: refractive lens exchange (RLE). This procedure involves replacing the eye's natural lens with an implantable lens that can minimize or eliminate the need for corrective eyeglasses to see objects up close clearly. Therefore, while age can certainly influence candidacy, it's by no means an absolute limit.
If you are in good health, have a stable eye prescription, are over 21 years old and want to get rid of your eyeglasses or contact lenses, see an eye doctor to see if LASIK surgery is right for you.
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