Laser eye surgery is a popular vision correction procedure that can help people achieve clear vision without the need for glasses or contact lenses. However, there are certain circumstances when this type of surgery may not be the best option. People must be 18 years of age or older, and preferably older, before considering LASIK eye surgery. Certain conditions and medications, such as pregnancy, breastfeeding, and steroids, can cause temporary fluctuations in vision.
It is important to wait until your vision stabilizes before considering LASIK eye surgery. The FDA requires that anyone who undergoes LASIK be 18 years of age or older to be eligible. This is due to the fact that vision keeps changing when you are young. Hormonal fluctuations during pregnancy and breastfeeding can cause changes in women's vision and in corrective prescribing.
Mothers who are considering laser eye surgery should wait 3 to 6 months or more after weaning to allow their prescription to stabilize. Those who take certain prescription medications should also wait until their prescription stabilizes before considering laser eye surgery. Some prescription medications can interfere with the results of laser eye surgery, such as some steroids which can delay healing and decrease optimal results. Acne medications can also cause significant dry eyes, which can increase the likelihood of corneal scarring after laser eye surgery.
After the age of 40, the popularity of LASIK surgery begins to decline, as it is an age when the eyes begin to change once again. Generally speaking, most eye surgeons with LASIK agree that 25 to 40 years is the ideal age range to apply for LASIK eye surgery for several reasons. Good general health, family medical history and a stable prescription are the most important factors in applying for LASIK eye surgery. A person with dry eyes has a higher risk of significant discomfort after LASIK surgery and a possible worsening of dry eye symptoms.
While laser eye surgery is an excellent vision correction procedure for many people, it's not for everyone. After undergoing laser eye surgery, there's always a chance that you'll need to wear reading glasses or corrective lenses for at least some activities. While laser eye surgery has been performed on children with severe vision problems, keep in mind that these cases are the exception to the rule.
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