How Young is Too Young for LASIK Eye Surgery?

If you wear corrective lenses or frames, LASIK may have crossed your mind. Laser vision correction has helped countless men and women experience clear eyesight without the help of visual aids. But you should remember that not everyone is a candidate for this procedure. LASIK is only effective in individuals who meet the right age requirements.

So, how young is too young for LASIK? While board-certified ophthalmologist Dr. Young H. Choi recommends patients are at least 18 years old before getting a laser procedure, there are other considerations to take into account. Learn more by scheduling a LASIK assessment at Young H. Choi, M.D. Eye Surgery Center. Our trained staff near Birmingham, AL can make you less dependent on glasses and contacts.

Am I too young for LASIK?

Laser vision correction is an excellent long-term solution for people who are frustrated with the inconvenience of glasses. While LASIK is FDA approved for anyone 18 and older, many practitioners ask patients to wait until their prescription has stabilized. This is because vision tends to change in adolescents and teenagers. Trained ophthalmologists evaluate young patients on a case-by-case basis to determine whether they are ready for LASIK.

Am I too old for LASIK?

The great news is that there is no age limit for laser vision procedures as long as your eyes are in good health. For example, individuals over age 40 are at risk for presbyopia, or age-related farsightedness. This is caused by a loss of flexibility in the lens over time. People with presbyopia have trouble seeing things up close. While LASIK can treat cases of nearsightedness and farsightedness, it is not ideal for presbyopia.

Your eyes may also change around age 60 when most people begin to develop a common condition called cataracts. Cataracts are a clouding of the lens that makes your vision hazy or blurry. Colors can also seem duller when it comes to cataracts. LASIK cannot treat the vision issues caused by cataracts, but our clinic near Birmingham, AL does offer advanced procedures to address cataracts.

Factors that impact LASIK candidacy

As we mentioned, LASIK can successfully treat nearsightedness, farsightedness, and refractive errors that affect the cornea of the eye. To ensure a successful outcome, it is important to make sure your corneas and eyes are completely healthy beforehand. Young H. Choi, M.D. Eye Surgery Center will take the following into consideration when planning your laser vision correction procedure in our office:

• Current eye conditions: Please inform us about any existing eye conditions, like chronic dry eyes and glaucoma

• Cornea thickness: If your cornea is too thin or has irregular texture, it could compromise the outcome of your LASIK procedure

• Prescription: Patients should have the same prescription for at least one year before getting laser surgery

• Pregnancy: The hormonal shifts that are associated with pregnancy could result in complications before and after treatment

Schedule a laser vision procedure

The eye care professionals at Young H. Choi, M.D. Eye Surgery Center are excited to help men and women who want to get rid of their visual aids. Even if you feel too old or too young for LASIK or other laser vision procedures, we still encourage you to schedule an assessment with Dr. Young H. Choi. We can perform an examination and let you know whether you could be a candidate for LASIK near Birmingham, AL.