Laser-Assisted In Situ Keratomileusis (LASIK) is a procedure that permanently changes the shape of the cornea, the clear covering of the front of the eye, using an excimer laser. But is it safe for older adults?
Being “too old for LASIK” is a myth. LASIK eye surgery has become a great option for people above the age of 55 as well. Seniors with ageing vision problems like myopia and astigmatism are turning to laser vision correction. As our body ages, inventions like hearing aids, eyeglasses and walkers help us with our daily routine. Similarly, there has been a dramatic increase in the number of older patients choosing LASIK. A patient with stable health conditions in their 50s can easily undergo LASIK without any complication.
The benefits of LASIK eye surgery
- Quick recovery and improved vision – Most patients see even better after the LASIK eye surgery than with glasses or contacts. According to a survey, 95.4 per cent of people were satisfied or very satisfied with the results as their eyesight has exceeded 20/20 vision.
- Permanent results – It takes your eyes three months to stabilise, after which the LASIK results are permanent and there is no need for follow-up procedures. Your improved eyesight will last except for any normal loss of sight due to ageing or illness.
- Results emerge in 24 Hours after the surgery – The reason why LASIK eye surgery is so flexible is that you will be able to return to your daily activities almost immediately. Though complete healing and stabilisation can take three to six months, you can see the results within 24 hours and get back to your daily routine.
- Quick and painless procedure – The surgery is completed in 10-15 minutes for both the eyes. LASIK is done with a local anaesthetic, where the doctor uses numbing eye drops and all the patient will feel is a bit of a pressure from the laser. The discomfort experienced by the patient post-surgery clears up after using artificial tears for the evening.
Factors that disqualify you as a candidate for LASIK
- LASIK surgery cannot correct vision loss caused by cataract. People with cataract require cataract surgery as it worsens over time. LASIK eye surgery is not recommended for people with cataracts unless you have a minor congenital cataract that is stable and not significantly affecting your vision then LASIK can be a possibility.
- Autoimmune diseases, diabetes, immunodeficiency syndromes and some medications which might interfere with the healing process after LASIK eye surgery. The presence of these conditions can disqualify a patient from LASIK. A complete eye and health evaluation will decide if LASIK surgery is suitable for the person or not.
- Corneal scarring from an eye injury or a previous surgery can prevent someone from getting LASIK. The ophthalmologist can discover corneal scarring during the pre-op eye exam. If the patient has glaucoma, retinal detachment, dry eyes, keratoconus, ocular herpes and diabetic retinopathy it can affect the patient’s eligibility to successfully undergo LASIK.
- A patient with large pupils may experience side effects like glares, halos, starburst and double vision. These effects can be very trying as it interferes with daily routines such as driving at night and preventing the patient’s vision in bad weather conditions. Therefore, size of the pupil is a factor which determines if you are a good candidate for LASIK eye surgery or not.
- If you are someone who has thin corneas it might disqualify you from being a good LASIK candidate. A LASIK doctor will see if your cornea is thick enough to undergo the surgery. If LASIK is performed on thin corneas it can result in many complications.
Senior citizens are proving it these days that age is just a number. LASIK is good for older adults as well as it improves their quality of life even more. Thick lenses and heavy glasses are no longer going to be your obstacle from enjoying life and having better vision at all ages in a safe and effective way.
Author
Aaron Barriga is the online marketing manager for Insight Vision Center, an Ophthalmology Center in California. With a knack for understanding medical procedures and an interest in eye and vision health, Aaron loves to share what he knows and what he learns. He blogs to inform readers about the latest eye care technology and other topics related to eye care, especially LASIK.