What is the best age for LASIK?

Would you like to enjoy the freedom that comes with a life without glasses and contacts? If so, you may have started your research into LASIK eye surgery.

Many patients interested in this procedure ask, “what is the laser eye surgery age limit”. Some worry they’ve missed their chance and are too old to undergo the procedure. Others imagine they might be too young.

The good news is that it’s never too late to start pursuing better vision. Unfortunately, however, it can be too early.

Minimum age for LASIK eye surgery

The only laser eye surgery age limit is how young you can be. You must be over the age of 18 years to have LASIK eye surgery (for some procedures, you need to be a minimum of 21 years old). This is because your prescription continues to change in children and young adults.

This also applies to adults around the age of 40 and older. Around age 40 and age 60, your eyesight shifts once again. This is why some older patients see less improvement in their vision than younger adults.

There are also occasions where patients younger than the minimum age can be treated – as an exception. This is at the discretion of the LASIK surgeon, with permission from the patient’s parent(s) or guardian.

The best age for LASIK

The best or right time to have laser eye surgery is around 25-30 years of age. This is because eye prescriptions start to settle. After age 18, the development of your eyesight slows, meaning you have a more stable prescription¹Garcia-Gonzalez, M., 2021. Effect of age on visual and refractive results after LASIK: mechanical microkeratome versus femtosecond laser..

Your vision must be stable. Teenagers and many young adults often experience changes in their contact lens prescription and eyeglass prescription from year to year. So it’s important for refractive errors to be stable for at least 12 months before undergoing LASIK or other refractive surgery.

Another reason why this is an optimal age for LASIK is due to the amount of time you have to enjoy the benefits.

While LASIK lasts a lifetime for most patients, your eyes begin to change again (naturally) in later life. That is due to a process called presbyopia.

That means that even though your eyesight is still better than it would have been without LASIK, it may slightly diminish as you age.

Therefore, getting LASIK in your mid-20s is optimal so that you can receive the maximum benefits for a longer.

LASIK eligibility for patients over 40

If you are over the age of 40, you can still have LASIK. There is no maximum age limit for laser vision correction, but it can make the process slightly more complicated. However, this is not a reason to avoid treatment. Many older adults enjoy the benefits of LASIK. You will need to work with your surgeon to consider any conditions or prescription changes to ensure you get the best outcome.

Older patients over 45 begin to or have already developed presbyopia (the age-related need for reading glasses) and cataracts. Because of this, doctors may recommend other procedures such as LASIK blended vision or lens replacement.

If you do not have any other medical eye conditions, LASIK blended vision can help you read again without glasses. If you’re in the early stages of cataracts, lens replacement can restore clear vision and sharp focus it all depends on your eye health.

The best way to determine your eligibility is to book a free assessment. Only a qualified eye surgery specialist can give you a clear recommendation.

Affording LASIK

Many people sacrifice glasses-free vision due to cost. What they often forget is that you typically spend more on the cost of glasses and contact lenses throughout a lifetime than on a one-off LASIK treatment.

Finding the right plan is essential when pursuing LASIK eye surgery. We offer 24-month interest-free payment plans, so you don’t have to miss out on better vision.

Get started on your LASIK journey

Now that you have a better idea of the minimum LASIK eye surgery age, you’re ready to start your journey to better vision.

There are many options to improve your eyesight, and it’s worth finding out if LASIK is right for you, regardless of your age. You don’t have to be in your 20s to enjoy a better vision.

Start by booking a free consultation with one of our eye surgeons today.