{"id":3602,"date":"2020-11-03T13:47:10","date_gmt":"2020-11-03T19:47:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.visioncenter.org\/?p=3602"},"modified":"2024-02-21T09:13:28","modified_gmt":"2024-02-21T15:13:28","slug":"best-age","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.visioncenter.org\/lasik\/best-age\/","title":{"rendered":"The Best Age to Get LASIK Eye Surgery\u2014Refractive Errors, Age Limits"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.visioncenter.org\/lasik\/\">LASIK<\/a>, which stands for laser-assisted in situ keratomileusis, is an eye surgery that permanently corrects your vision by reshaping the corneal tissue.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"1024\" height=\"576\" src=\"https:\/\/www.visioncenter.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/lasik-laser-correction-for-better-vision-1024x576.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-17029\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.visioncenter.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/lasik-laser-correction-for-better-vision-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.visioncenter.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/lasik-laser-correction-for-better-vision-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.visioncenter.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/lasik-laser-correction-for-better-vision-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.visioncenter.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/lasik-laser-correction-for-better-vision-1536x864.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.visioncenter.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/lasik-laser-correction-for-better-vision.jpg 1600w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" title=\"\"><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>The surgery, which only takes about 10 minutes per eye, ultimately treats three primary refractive errors:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.visioncenter.org\/lasik\/nearsightedness\/\">Myopia (nearsightedness)<\/a>&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.visioncenter.org\/lasik\/farsightedness\/\">Hyperopia (farsightedness)<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.visioncenter.org\/lasik\/astigmatism\/\">Astigmatism<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"What_is_the_Best_Age_to_Get_LASIK\"><\/span>What is the Best Age to Get LASIK?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>The best age to get LASIK eye surgery is between 20 and 40 years old or when you\u2019ve had a stable prescription for at least two years.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Everyone is different, and it\u2019s wise to consult your eye doctor about whether or not you are a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.visioncenter.org\/resources\/lasik-candidacy\/\">good candidate for LASIK<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"How_Old_Do_You_Have_to_Be_to_Get_LASIK\"><\/span>How Old Do You Have to Be to Get LASIK?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>LASIK is only FDA-approved for adults ages 18 and up. Many eye doctors will not perform LASIK on people younger than 25 because their eyes are likely to change. They will probably recommend wearing glasses or <a href=\"https:\/\/www.visioncenter.org\/best-contact-lenses\/\">contact lenses<\/a> until your vision stabilizes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>For many people, eyesight continues to change until about age 24. Most surgeons require you to have a stable prescription for one to two years before getting LASIK.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"LASIK_Eye_Surgery_Age_Limit\"><\/span>LASIK Eye Surgery Age Limit<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>There is no upper age that prevents seniors from getting LASIK. However, several health considerations determine whether someone qualifies for the procedure.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>People with certain autoimmune or immunodeficiency diseases are at a higher risk for healing complications. Taking certain medications may disqualify you from the procedure. These include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul>\n<li>Immunosuppressants<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Anti-inflammatories<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Steroids<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Isotretinoin (Accutane)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Amiodarone<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>However, you may qualify for LASIK if you stop taking these medications for a certain time before the procedure.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Only a consultation with a qualified eye surgeon can help determine <a data-wpil=\"url\" href=\"https:\/\/www.visioncenter.org\/lasik\/should-i-get-lasik\/\">if you should get LASIK<\/a>. Most surgeons will let you schedule a free consultation where they can make sure your eyes are healthy and answer any questions you have.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">LASIK for Older People<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Older people are eligible for LASIK if they meet the other criteria. The age limit for LASIK is not set in stone, and it\u2019s ultimately up to your eye surgeon to decide if you\u2019re a good candidate.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>However, those over 60 are recommended to receive <a href=\"https:\/\/www.visioncenter.org\/lasik\/monovision\/\">monovision LASIK.<\/a> This procedure corrects one eye for near vision and the other for distance vision. This allows older people to maintain good vision at all distances without relying on glasses or contacts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Eye_Conditions_That_Impact_LASIK_Candidacy\"><\/span>Eye Conditions That Impact LASIK Candidacy<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Age is the only factor affecting your candidacy for LASIK eye surgery. Certain eye conditions and vision problems can also impact your LASIK candidacy. These include the following:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Presbyopia.<\/strong> When your eyes gradually lose the ability to see clearly, which happens with age<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Cataracts. <\/strong>Cloudy areas in the lens of your eye, which can occur with age<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Keratoconus.<\/strong> When the cornea thins out and bulges<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Uncontrolled glaucoma. <\/strong>Eye disorders that can cause progressive damage to the eye\u2019s optic nerve<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Corneal disease. <\/strong>A condition that can cause clouding, distortion, and scarring, which can sometimes lead to blindness<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Other retinal and optic nerve diseases. <\/strong>These conditions can increase your risk for complications after LASIK<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Summary\"><\/span>Summary<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>There is no set age limit for LASIK surgery. However, most surgeons will not perform the procedure on patients under 18.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Additionally, certain eye conditions and vision problems can impact your candidacy for LASIK surgery. It&#8217;s important to talk with a qualified eye surgeon to determine if you are a good candidate for the procedure.<\/p>\n<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_67_1 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-custom ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<div class=\"ez-toc-title-container\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title \" >In this article<\/p>\n<span class=\"ez-toc-title-toggle\"><\/span><\/div>\n<nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 ' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/www.visioncenter.org\/lasik\/best-age\/#What_is_the_Best_Age_to_Get_LASIK\" title=\"What is the Best Age to Get LASIK?\">What is the Best Age to Get LASIK?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/www.visioncenter.org\/lasik\/best-age\/#How_Old_Do_You_Have_to_Be_to_Get_LASIK\" title=\"How Old Do You Have to Be to Get LASIK?\">How Old Do You Have to Be to Get LASIK?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/www.visioncenter.org\/lasik\/best-age\/#LASIK_Eye_Surgery_Age_Limit\" title=\"LASIK Eye Surgery Age Limit\">LASIK Eye Surgery Age Limit<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/www.visioncenter.org\/lasik\/best-age\/#Eye_Conditions_That_Impact_LASIK_Candidacy\" title=\"Eye Conditions That Impact LASIK Candidacy\">Eye Conditions That Impact LASIK Candidacy<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"https:\/\/www.visioncenter.org\/lasik\/best-age\/#Summary\" title=\"Summary\">Summary<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Wondering when the best time to have lasik eye surgery is? Our experts weigh in with their thoughts on what the ideal age for lasik is.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":32,"featured_media":17113,"parent":405,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"inline_featured_image":false,"_yoast_wpseo_title":"","rank_math_title":"What\u2019s the Best Age to Get LASIK Surgery? %sep% %sitename%","_aioseo_title":"","footnotes":""},"tags":[33],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.visioncenter.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/3602"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.visioncenter.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.visioncenter.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.visioncenter.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/32"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.visioncenter.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=3602"}],"version-history":[{"count":20,"href":"https:\/\/www.visioncenter.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/3602\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":53173,"href":"https:\/\/www.visioncenter.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/3602\/revisions\/53173"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.visioncenter.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/405"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.visioncenter.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/17113"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.visioncenter.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=3602"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.visioncenter.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=3602"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}