Is LASIK Surgery Worthwhile After 40?
For individuals over the age of 40, whether or not to undergo LASIK surgery is a common question—a serious question—is it worth it? LASIK (Laser-Assisted in Situ Keratomileusis) has revolutionized the business of vision correction, offering a life-changing solution for those tired of glasses and contact lenses. While younger adults are likely to have LASIK, there has been an increasing number of those between their 40s and beyond. But is it the same advantage? Here is a closer examination of how LASIK can be a choice for you beyond age 40.
Understanding Vision Changes After Age 40
Age brings wisdom—but presbyopia too. This universal age-related affliction is due to the fact that the eye lens becomes less flexible and hence the capacity to focus on near objects. For all of us, this implies an inevitable reliance on reading glasses or bifocals, even though we may have enjoyed perfect vision at some point.
Presbyopia is usually accompanied by other vision issues like myopia (nearsightedness), hyperopia (farsightedness), or astigmatism. Afflicted by such issues forces patients over 40 years old to resort to vision corrective procedures like LASIK. However, one should keep in mind that LASIK does not correct near vision abnormalities or presbyopia, and one might still need reading glasses following surgery.
LASIK Candidacy and Proper Use in Individuals Older Than 40
While LASIK works extremely well with refracting the vision, patient candidacy from individual to individual is also quite dissimilar within this age range as well. Eye health, general uniformity of vision, and whether or not there is some underlying medical issue, like dry eye or thin cornea, are all important factors in consideration for determining patient candidacy.
According to ophthalmologists, even people above 40 years are eligible for Monovision LASIK, a customized surgery in which one eye is treated to see at a distance and the other to see near. The surgery halts the effect of presbyopia, but the brain needs to adjust, and it’s not a good option for everyone.
Keep in mind that certain conditions found among this age group, such as cataracts, will influence choice and candidacy, as well. Consultation by seasoned professionals in LASIK in San Francisco will dictate the best course of treatment of your eyes.
Expert Insights
Board-qualified eye physicians and refractive surgeon often believe in singly customized recommendations for modification within the patient. Any patient who is over the age of 40 is an individual with his or her own visual requirements. With LASIK potential currently at this phase of life, it is long beyond the time to think ahead prior to gazing towards near-vision, also taking into account the impact which age can have on older-age maturity.
If patients have good vision and patients’ expectations are realistic, LASIK can be great. But professionals always give patients a consideration of need post-op for reading glasses because presbyopia really isn’t treated.
The decision will be according to your own vision requirements, medical condition, and lifestyle. LASIK is indeed effective at correcting nearsight issues, and treatments like Monovision LASIK can correct presbyopia to a degree. But the best way of becoming aware of the procedure’s potential benefits and hazards unique to your own situation is a consultation with an experienced ophthalmologist.
Whatever your motivation for not wanting to wear glasses or contacts, LASIK might be an option worth considering. But like any form of medical treatment, the choice needs to be well-thought-out and discussed thoroughly with your doctor.
