For most patients, the results of LASIK will last a lifetime. About 10-12% of patients nationwide will need an enhancement surgery because of anatomical changes to the eye/eyes.
The actual procedure usually takes less than 10 minutes per eye. Depending on your prescription, and the amount of correction needed, the laser itself only takes 20-50 seconds to correct your vision. However, you should plan on being in the office for approximately an hour-and-a-half on your day of surgery.
Of course, LASIK eligibility depends on quite a few factors, several of which are unique from person to person. But the answer is generally yes – LASIK is worth it after 40. LASIK is safe and effective for patients older than 40 and produces the long-term value that this refractive surgery is known for.
While the minimum age for LASIK surgery is 18 years old, there is technically no age limit for laser vision correction. Candidacy for LASIK surgery is typically not dependent upon age, but upon the stability and health of the eye.
But there are plenty of people in their 40's, 50's, 60's and beyond who have relatively healthy eyes and therefore may still be perfectly good candidates for LASIK. So the idea that there is an upper-age limit for treatment is simply false. You're never too old for LASIK if your eyes are healthy enough.
During the procedure, the eyelids are held open with a small medical device to prevent blinking. It is therefore impossible for you to close your eye or blink during the procedure.
Full recovery varies by patient, and it may take three to six months for your vision to fully stabilize. During this time, your LASIK surgeon will meet with you regularly to check on your vision.
LASIK is a type of refractive eye surgery. In general, most people who have laser-assisted in situ keratomileusis (LASIK) eye surgery achieve 20/20 vision or better, which works well for most activities. But most people still eventually need glasses for driving at night or reading as they get older.
You have a thin or irregular cornea
If you have a predisposition to corneal shape irregularity, this can be made worse by laser eye surgery, and a condition called corneal ectasia may develop. This occurs infrequently and can often be treated successfully without the need for a corneal transplant.
LASIK's Most Common After-Effects
In the two to three hours immediately after surgery, your vision will be blurry. Although your eyesight will greatly improve within 24 hours, you may still experience intermittent blurriness and fluctuations in your vision for some time as your eyes adjust to the reshaped cornea.
Nunnery advise patients that it is okay to bathe or shower normally the day after LASIK eye surgery. Yet, for the first week after your LASIK surgery, it's important to keep water, soap, hair care products and/or washing liquids away from the eye. Do not rub your eyes while bathing or showering after LASIK.
When Can I Drive After LASIK? It is typically okay 24 hours after your LASIK eye surgery to resume driving. Your first post-operative appointment will be the day following your LASIK. Once your vision has been checked and deemed to be legal driving vision you are good to get back behind the wheel.
The recovery time after LASIK eye surgery usually takes 6 weeks to 9 months. It varies from one patient to another. Your eye surgeon will closely monitor your progress at your follow-up appointments. For many patients, resuming normal activities is not an issue.
How Long Should You Wear Dark Glasses After LASIK? For the first 24 hours after surgery, it's best to wear sunglasses anytime you're outside. Inside, they can help with light sensitivity. Outside, they'll protect you from UV light and potential hazards.
Yes. Sunglasses protect your eyes from intense light and the sun's UV rays. After LASIK eye surgery, your eyes are going to be more sensitive. Protecting them will keep you comfortable and assist with the recovery process.
Sneezing, blinking, coughing or any other involuntary movement will not affect the outcome of the LASIK procedure.
Sleep Right After the Surgery Procedure
Millions of Lasik patients prefer to go to sleep after the surgery and the success rate of the surgery is extremely high. So, there is no harm in sleeping right after the surgery.
Once the full healing process after Eye LASIK surgery has been completed, your optimum visual acuity will be reached. After 3 to 6 months your eyesight will have reached its optimum benefit from the surgery. In many cases 20/20 vision is achieved, but some patients find they need reading glasses for close work.
Since your eyes are still healing, they will be especially sensitive in the first 24 hours after the LASIK procedure. Because of this, it's recommended to wait at least 24 hours before using your phone, computer, tablet or watching TV.
Since your eye doctor will instruct you to avoid screens and bright lights for a day (LASIK) or two (PRK), you'll want to have a game plan for keeping your mind busy while you're recovering from PRK or LASIK. Consider downloading podcasts music or books to help you relax.
A small instrument is placed over your eye that gently works to help keep your eye open, still and steady during the procedure.
LASIK: 25-40
Generally speaking, most LASIK eye surgeons agree on 25-40 as the ideal age range for LASIK eye surgery candidacy for a few reasons. By the age of 25, eyeglasses and contact lens prescriptions have most likely stabilized. A stable prescription is one of the hallmarks of a good LASIK candidate.
Your vision may change after surgery, but if it does, LASIK will still be beneficial. Changes in vision after LASIK are typically minor, and most people report improved eyesight for a lifetime after their procedures.