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Allison


04/07/2015

Am I still a good candidate for LASIK, because I am 64 years old?

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  • Gabriel leonard

    04/07/2015

    There is no age limit for LASIK, but after the age of 60, dry eyes can be a particularly challenging result of LASIK due to decreased tear production at that age. The better option is considering a refractive lens exchange (RLE) or waiting for development of a cataract. RLE involves removal of the natural-born lens with a corrective lens implant. An assortment of lens implants can be used. If a cataract is present, insurance may help with surgical removal of the cataractous lens followed by placement of a lens implant to correct vision. RLE is not covered by insurance, unlike a cataract.
  • Minaxi Patel

    04/07/2015

    LASIK is FDA-approved for those 18 and older. Most providers encourage young adults to wait until their mid-20s because, until this time, a person's prescription may be still changing. Having a stable prescription for at least two years is often required as proof before anyone, young or old, is deemed a good LASIK candidate.From the point of stable prescription on, most adults concurrently grow their savings, begin traveling for work and pleasure, and perhaps develop an irritation or exhaustion with contacts and eye glasses. This creates the popular period during which most people have LASIK. Around the age of 40, a person's eyes start to change again. Soon thereafter, many people start to need reading glasses due to a condition known as presbyopia. LASIK does not correct presbyopia, but some people with the condition decide to have monovision. Monovision is a laser eye surgery that leaves one eye corrected for near vision and the other eye corrected for distance vision. At age 60, the eyes start to change once more. This is when risk of cataracts increases. Some adults get to age 70 or 80 with no cataracts and have otherwise healthy eyes. Despite being outside the common LASIK age spectrum, these people can be good candidates for laser eye surgery. It's possible that a 70-year-old without cataracts or other eye illnesses is actually a better candidate than a 30-year-old with very dry eyes and diabetes. Age certainly influences one's LASIK candidacy, but it by no means draws an absolute boundary. If you are in good health, have a stable prescription and are considering LASIK, ask a laser vision correction provider to assess your candidacy.
  • Unity

    04/07/2015

    It really isn't much of a factor at all as far as increasing difficulty or risk of treatment. You could be a good candidate for LASIK if you wear glasses or contact lenses for Nearsightedness, farsightedness or astigmatism. If you want to reduce or eliminate your dependence on glasses or contacts. If you meet certain criteria for eye health and vision. If a qualified refractive surgeon thinks you are a good candidate.
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