What is the best age for LASIK?
When Is The Best Time To Get LASIK Surgery?
Most of us have been there—sitting in class or at work, struggling to read the material on the board or screen. We squint, we strain our eyes, and we try to will the words into focus. If you’ve ever found yourself in this position, chances are you’ve thought about getting LASIK surgery. But what age should you get LASIK? Is there an optimal time, or is it a procedure that can be done at any age? Let’s take a look.
Should I Wait To Have LASIK?
The FDA has approved LASIK for patients aged 18 and over. This is because, generally speaking, your eyes need to be fully developed before undergoing such a procedure. However, that doesn’t mean that 18 is the magic number. In fact, most surgeons recommend waiting until you’re at least 18. Why? Because your eyes can still change until you reach this age.
If you are over 18 and your vision has been stable for at least two years, you may be a candidate for surgery. If you decide to move forward with surgery before reaching 21, it’s important to keep in mind that there’s always a risk that your vision could change again later on down the road. In these cases, you may need to undergo an enhancement procedure. Although this isn’t common, it’s something to keep in mind when making your decision.
There is no right or wrong answer when it comes to deciding when to get LASIK surgery. Ultimately, it’s up to you and your doctor to decide whether or not the procedure is right for you. No matter when you decide to get LASIK surgery, be sure to do your research and consult with a qualified surgeon before making any decisions about treatment.
Best Age for LASIK Eye Surgery
The FDA has approved LASIK for those aged 18 and up. With LASIK surgery being one of the most popular elective procedures in the world, millions of people are choosing to undergo this life-changing surgery.
LASIK Surgery Age
There are a few things you’ll want to take into consideration before making the decision to get LASIK surgery. The first is your overall health. You should be in good health and have no underlying medical conditions that could complicate the surgery or affect your healing process.
The second factor is your lifestyle. Do you participate in activities that could put your eyes at risk for injury? If you do, it may be best to wait until later in life to get LASIK when you’re less likely to participate in these activities.
The third factor is your job. Are you employed in a field where having perfect vision is not required? If not, then there likely isn’t as much pressure to get LASIK right away and you can wait until a later time when it may be more convenient.
You May Be Ready for LASIK Surgery Earlier If You Suffer from Astigmatism or Nearsightedness
If you suffer from nearsightedness or astigmatism, you may be a candidate for surgery sooner than someone with 20/20 vision. This is because these conditions generally stabilize earlier than 20/20 vision—usually around the age of 18. So if you have been dealing with either of these conditions since adolescence and have been looking into getting them corrected via LASIK eye surgery or SMILE LASIK, it is likely that you will be able to do so as soon as you turn 18.
Reasons To Get LASIK Early
There are many advantages of LASIK over traditional glasses and contacts. For one, LASIK is more convenient. You do not have to worry about losing your glasses or contact lenses, and you do not have to deal with the hassle of cleaning them every day. With LASIK, some patients are able to see clearly as soon as the surgery is completed. There is also no need to worry about your vision being affected by weather conditions such as fog or rain.
Another advantage of LASIK is that it is more affordable in the long run. The initial cost of the surgery may be higher than the cost of traditional glasses or contact lenses, but you will not have to continue to pay for replacement lenses or glasses every year. In addition, LASIK can also save you money on things like eye exams and contact lens solutions.
With traditional glasses or contact lenses, there is always a risk of them breaking or falling off, which can lead to injuries. With LASIK, you don’t have to worry about that!
Recommended Age For LASIK
When it comes to getting LASIK eye surgery, there is no one answer fits all. However, there are a few things you should take into consideration when trying to decide if now or later is the best time for you to undergo the procedure. First and foremost, the FDA has cleared laser vision correction – including LASIK – only for those aged 18 and up. Lastly, if you suffer from astigmatism or nearsightedness, chances are you will be able to get corrective surgery done sooner than someone with 20/20 vision as these conditions generally stabilize earlier on in life—usually around 18 years old. No matter what route you decide to go down, just make sure that you consult with one of our doctors beforehand so we can help figure out what timeline works best for YOU!
Be sure to talk to one of our doctors about not only the benefits of LASIK, but also any risks of LASIK that may pertain to your individual needs and circumstances.