What Age is Best for LASIK?

It’s summertime, and we gets lots of high school and college students who come in for their eye exams when they have more time. Many are considering LASIK, and we often get asked “What age is best for LASIK?”

Determining the best age for LASIK surgery involves considering various factors including eye health, stability of vision, and overall lifestyle. While LASIK can be performed on individuals over 18 years old, the optimal age range typically falls between 20 to 40 years. Here’s a detailed explanation of why this age range is often considered ideal:

Eye Health and Stability

The stability of your vision is crucial for LASIK candidacy. Eyesight tends to stabilize in early adulthood, usually around the age of 20. Before this age, vision may still be changing, making it less predictable and suitable for a permanent correction like LASIK.

LASIK candidates should have healthy eyes with no significant diseases or conditions like glaucoma or severe dry eye syndrome. These conditions can affect the outcomes of LASIK surgery and are more prevalent in older age groups.

Long-Term Benefits

By having LASIK in your 20s or 30s, you can potentially enjoy decades of improved vision without glasses or contacts. This long-term benefit makes the procedure particularly appealing to younger adults who may lead active lifestyles or have careers where clear vision is essential.

LASIK can be a significant financial investment. Undergoing the procedure at a younger age allows you to spread the cost over more years, potentially making it more economical in the long run compared to a lifetime of purchasing glasses or contacts.

Lifestyle Factors

Many people in their 20s and 30s are in school, or establishing their careers and pursuing active lifestyles. For professions that require excellent vision, such as military service, aviation, or sports, LASIK can be particularly advantageous.

For individuals planning to start a family, undergoing LASIK before having children may be beneficial. It allows time for recovery and adjustment before the demands of childcare and reduces the inconvenience of glasses or contacts during this time.

Physical Considerations

Younger individuals tend to heal faster than older adults. This can contribute to quicker recovery times and fewer complications following LASIK surgery.

Presbyopia, the age-related loss of near vision, typically begins to affect people in their 40s. LASIK corrects distance vision and may not prevent the need for reading glasses later in life. Undergoing LASIK in your 20s or 30s means you can enjoy clear vision for many years before presbyopia becomes significant.

Are you a candidate?

We prefer for patients to be over age 20 when performing LASIK, but if you’re younger, come in and see us and we’ll talk. Each person’s situation is unique, and consulting with an experienced Eye Consultants of Pennsylvania surgeon is essential to determine your individual suitability for LASIK surgery and the timing that is right for you. We want to make sure all our patients understand the limitations and potential risks of LASIK as well.

We have several convenient locations to choose from. Come see us today. We look forward to caring for your vision needs.