But is laser eye surgery the best option, or should alternatives be considered? Well, the good news is that there's no upper age limit for undergoing the surgery.
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.
While there is currently no age limit for older adults wanting LASIK surgery, there are some vision conditions affecting adults age 40 and above that can't be treated with this surgery. These conditions are: Presbyopia or blurry near vision typically occurring around age 40. Cataracts or glaucoma.
You are never too old to have vision correction surgery
Many patients choose to have treatment to free them up for travel or outdoor exercise once they retire. The treatment which is most suitable for your eyes is best determined by the right tests and an expert opinion from your operating surgeon.
In fact, by the age of 80, over half of all Americans have a cataract or have had cataract surgery to remove the cataractous lens. There's no need to worry if you have cataracts, though. Cataract surgery is a common procedure that can restore sight.
Refractive Lens Exchange (RLE)
If you're not a candidate for LASIK and are suffering from hyperopia, myopia, presbyopia, or an early cataract, RLE is a treatment option for you. A refractive lens exchange is when your natural lens is replaced with an intraocular lens (IOL) that matches your prescription.
Dermal fillers are more effective for deeper lines under the eyes and are also one of the best treatments for under eye wrinkles. These fillers reduce fine lines under the eyes, soften under-eye wrinkles and creases, give fullness to the face, and reduce dark circles, especially under the lower lids.
Scarring from a previous eye injury or surgery can impede the surgeon's ability to perform the operation safely. Other eye diseases that affect the cornea or infections must be resolved before you can get LASIK. In some cases, you may find that because of eye diseases or another procedure, you cannot get LASIK.
Complications that result in a loss of vision are very rare. But certain side effects of LASIK eye surgery, particularly dry eyes and temporary visual problems such as glare, are fairly common. These usually clear up after a few weeks or months, and very few people consider them to be a long-term problem.
While the minimum age for LASIK surgery is 18, there is no age limit as long as your eyes are healthy and your vision is stable.
A normal LASIK patient takes around three months to complete this recovery time. Some patients can take upwards of six months to a year to fully recover. This is particularly true if they had a severe prescription. This isn't to say that you'll be stuck in bed for months after LASIK, because you won't!
During the surgery, patients may feel some pressure and discomfort, but not pain. The eyelids are held open with a special tool, which might feel strange but is not painful. The excimer laser used in LASIK is cool, precise, and guided by a computer, ensuring no discomfort during the cornea reshaping process.
They can be. With guidance from an eye doctor, many adults over 60 successfully wear contacts. They're a convenient way to correct your vision.
Most people who undergo LASIK surgery will have good to excellent vision in most situations, for many years or decades. You'll be able to play sports and swim, or even just see the clock first thing in the morning, without having to worry about your glasses or contact lenses.
In the vast majority of cases, laser eye surgery is a permanent vision correction option for patients. However, with age, your eyes may change and you may experience other vision problems. While the changes made by laser eye surgery are permanent, this will not prevent these age-related changes from occurring.
The best time to get laser eye surgery treatment is between the ages of 18-40, provided your eye health is in good condition, the thickness of your cornea is adequate, and your prescription hasn't changed in the span of 2 years.
The American Refractive Surgery Council says the procedure's complication rate is less than 1% (though 30% of people may see short-term side effects like dry eyes).
LASIK is permanent, but eyesight can and does change, even after laser surgery. There are many potential causes of eyesight changes after refractive surgery.
Sadly, laser eye surgery is not covered by Medicare. Laser eye surgery is considered a cosmetic procedure and therefore; not covered under any Medicare scheme.
Yes, you will be awake for your entire LASIK corrective eye surgery procedure. Some people assume because they are undergoing a surgical procedure that they will be given anesthesia and be put to sleep. Yet, unlike other types of surgeries, laser surgery only takes a few minutes to complete.
Non-surgical and minimal invasive, tear trough fillers are an effective way to tighten skin under the eyes, treat wrinkles, improve the hollowed-out look under the eyes and brighten dark circles. Hyaluronic acid fillers are made of a transparent gel that mimics the natural substance that our bodies produce.
There is no maximum age limit to when you have to stop wearing contact lenses. You'll find, however, that your prescription requirements may change, as will the quality of your tears, which can lead to dry eyes.