The American Academy of Ophthalmology suggests that a person should be older than age 21 as this is when most people are likely to be done with major eye changes. Most ophthalmologists recommend that the best age to get laser surgery for the eyes is between ages 25-40 years old.
It's not until the age of 18 (or as late as 25) that the eyes stop changing. Most laser eye surgeons will ask patients to wait until they have had a stable glasses prescription for 12+ months before they can consider surgery.
Early Adulthood – 18 to 40 Years
It is considered to be the ideal age for laser vision correction, and most doctors prefer to operate as soon as the prescription for glasses has been stable for a year. It is because it provides almost twenty plus years with no dependence on glasses whatsoever.
Individuals up to their 50s benefit greatly from laser fractional resurfacing treatments. Skin concerns like sun damage and deeper wrinkles are common in this age group.
Fraxel. Fractional skin resurfacing lasers such as Fraxel can be used to smooth skin irregularities in your sixties, eliminate discoloration, and even skin tone. These lasers can also help to smooth fine lines and shallow wrinkles for mature skin.
While teenagers can benefit from laser hair removal, the most effective time to begin treatment is just after the late teens through the early 30s. In this age range, hormonal changes have largely stabilized, and the results are more predictable and long-lasting.
How Old is Too Old for LASIK? Surgeons at The Eye Institute of Utah have performed LASIK on patients in their 50's and beyond. While there is no cutoff age for LASIK candidacy, there are several reasons why the average age of LASIK patients tops out around 45: The risk of developing cataracts increases as we age.
Patients with autoimmune diseases are not good candidates for laser eye surgery. Many autoimmune conditions cause dry eye syndrome. A dry eye may not heal well and has a higher risk of post-surgery infection. Other conditions such as diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, glaucoma or cataracts often affect results.
However, most laser clinics will recommend waiting until at least the age of 18 before undergoing the treatment due to the immaturity of hair follicles and fluctuating hormones. Both could limit the effectiveness of the treatment.
You are never too old to have vision correction surgery
Many patients choose to have treatment to free them up for travel or outdoor exercise once they retire.
You have a disease or are on medications that may affect wound healing. Certain conditions, such as autoimmune diseases (e.g., lupus, rheumatoid arthritis), immunodeficiency states (e.g., HIV) and diabetes, and some medications (e.g., retinoic acid and steroids) may prevent proper healing after a refractive procedure.
Laser vision correction normally leaves you with life-long freedom from spectacles for sport and socialising. Natural changes in your spectacle prescription can occur at any age. Laser vision correction can usually be repeated safely if you do have a prescription shift.
Fortunately, you can start laser treatments at any age as long as your parents agree. However, most dermatologists recommend that female patients wait until they start their menstrual cycle before beginning laser treatment. For some, this may start at age 10 or even age 16.
CO2 laser treatment can minimize the appearance of deep wrinkles, lines, and uneven pigmentation. The term “fractional laser” means that the beam of light only targets a fraction of the skin at a time. Rather than resurface the entire area being treated, specialists focus microscopic beams of light in multiple areas.
Whether you opt for an ultrasound treatment such as Ultherapy, or an infrared laser treatment such as Titan, these skin rejuvenating therapies can be safely used at any age by both men and women.
LASIK surgery causes a temporary decrease in tear production. For the first six months or so after your surgery, your eyes may feel unusually dry as they heal. Dry eyes can reduce the quality of your vision. Your eye doctor might recommend eye drops for dry eyes.
It's okay to cry after LASIK. Whether your eyes are watery or you happen to cry for an emotional reason, natural tears won't harm the corneal flaps or hinder the healing process. Crying can actually help keep your eyes lubricated.
Just like any other patient, eye doctors have unique vision requirements and preferences. LASIK might not be the most suitable option for everyone, including eye care professionals. Some eye doctors may have naturally good vision or may have a preference for glasses or contact lenses for personal reasons.
Laser vision correction (LVC) is considered the safest eye correction surgery to obtain a “specs-free” life for patients with myopia (nearsightedness), hyperopia (farsightedness), and astigmatism (blurring of vision due to improper shape of the eye).
Refractive Lensectomy has grown increasingly popular for patients over the age of 50, and who are experiencing presbyopia or extreme farsightedness. Over time, the natural lens in our eye will start to become less clear.
While laser hair removal can be safe for teens with parental consent, the best age is usually in your twenties and thirties when hormonal levels are more stable.
Though some areas of the body are more painful than others, laser hair removal treatment rarely causes anything more than discomfort and slight pain. It's unusual for a patient to experience anything more than a sting.
The age group of 20-40 years is correct for laser eye surgery. However under normal conditions, you are never too old for them, and in some extreme cases, you are never too young for one. There were instances where we have done laser vision correction for patients up to 80 years of age.