Posted by: Associates in Ophthalmology (NJ) in LASIK
Wondering if there’s a best age or time to get LASIK? For most people, the answer would be that there’s no time like the present!
The sooner you get it, the longer you get to enjoy its benefits. But depending on your age, you may not have been able to get LASIK that long ago, or even now.
There’s no upper age limit when it comes to getting LASIK. You can technically get LASIK as a senior citizen, but there may be better procedures. To be legally eligible for the surgery, you need to be at least 18 years old.
Many doctors will have patients wait until they are in their mid to late twenties before getting the procedure.
Why pass on good paying young adults? That’s because any decent surgeon will focus on safety and results over profits.
While most bodily functions are at their prime while you are young, this may not be true of your eyes. The eyes may not reach their full maturity until you are in your mid-twenties.
Growth hormones can cause vision to fluctuate, and if eyesight is not stable, then LASIK could correct vision that’s unstable. Why get LASIK if you have unstable vision?
This would render the procedure useless. It also wastes money, time, and most importantly, puts the patient under unnecessary risk. Keep reading to learn more about LASIK and if there’s the best age to undergo it!
LASIK Consultations
Age and vision stability are among the many things tested and measured during your LASIK consultation. Other factors taken into consideration for LASIK candidacy include:
- If you are pregnant or are planning to become pregnant.
- History of eye injuries and diseases.
- Current prescription.
- Current medical issues such as diabetes or autoimmune disorders.
- Any medications you currently take
- Corneal thickness.
- Expectations of the surgery.
What a LASIK Consultation is Really Like
A LASIK consultation actually takes quite a bit longer than the surgery itself. You can spend around two hours with the doctor while they perform various tests and have you answer a series of questions.
This is all to ensure the best possible outcome for your potential procedure. LASIK only takes about 15 minutes per eye to perform. Your LASIK consultation is the perfect opportunity to ask any questions you may have about LASIK as well.
The kinds of tests will vary from doctor to doctor, but they will be looking for things such as:
- Your visual acuity.
- The presence of certain eye conditions such as glaucoma, macular degeneration, or dry eye.
- How thick your cornea is.
- The topography of the surface of your cornea.
Your comfort level and confidence in your surgeon directly correlate to how successful your procedure is. If you don’t feel comfortable with your surgeon, you may want to think about finding someone else.
Being comfortable is of the utmost importance before any surgical procedure! It’s also important to understand LASIK before having it so you know what to expect every step of the way.
On the fence about whether LASIK may be right for you? Schedule a LASIK consultation at Associates in Ophthalmology in Livingston, NJ to find out if you may be a good candidate for the procedure!
