In a nutshell, you should be at least 18 years old to have a Lasik surgery and in particular cases, it’s best to wait a little longer. The main reason for this is to increase the odds that your eyes are as stable as they can be and that your refractive error (degree of astigmatism, nearsightedness or farsightedness you might have) is unlikely to become worse after you get your LASIK surgery.
But first, what is LASIK surgery?
This is a permanent eye surgery that reshapes your cornea to correct incoming light in the same way that contact lenses and glasses do thus correcting your vision. Successful Lasik surgery largely depends on whether you meet the patient criteria and whether laser eye surgery is the best solution for you. When it’s all said and done, there are two primary determinants of the success of your operation; the condition of your eyes and your age.
Your eyes must be healthy
If you have any pre-existing condition that can affect how your eyes respond to the LASIK procedure or the healing process, it’s advisable to wait until your eye specialist helps you resolve that condition, for example, conjunctivitis, any eye injury, severe dry eye syndrome or any eye infection.
Your eye doctor will be able to determine if you have any condition that first needs attention before your procedure.
How old are you?
The best candidates for a LASIK procedure must have a stable prescription for at least two years, and this is why young adults are advised to wait until their mid-twenties though one can get a procedure after 18.
After hitting 40, your eyes start changing and most people get a condition known as presbyopia that makes it hard to see things as close as within an arm’s length. LASIK does not correct this condition but your eye surgeon can provide monovision laser surgery that works on the non-dominant eye to help you see better.
As one advances in age, degenerative diseases such as cataracts and glaucoma can keep you from being a good candidate for a LASIK surgery. Consult with your eye doctor about the best time for you to get the procedure done.
The important thing is to consult with your eye specialist before you start making any plans. Book an appointment with us today and we will help you determine if you are a good LASIK candidate, then based on the results, we will advise you on the best course of action.