Too Old for Lasik?

I have successfully done LASEK on a man who was 84, all you need to know is you need punctual plugs, Restasis, and Lacrisert to prevent/treat your dry eyes in the postop period (for a few months), and also MonoVision so you won't need readers, afterwards, either!

There are no upper age restrictions for LASIK. I have treated patients well into their 80's with excellent results. These patients have generally already had cataract surgery and do not want to wear glasses for distance. In the LASIK patient past their mid 40's reading glasses are generally needed to see uo close, but distance vision is excellent without glasses.

There is no set maximum age for refractive surgery--it just depends on the patient and the situation. If cataracts are present, it is usually better to have those removed first. In order to fine-tune the vision afterwards, refractive surgery is a great option! Dry eyes may become more of a problem postoperatively, but that is usually transient.

As patients age other visual problems like cataracts and Macular degeneration may be higher priorities. However for healthy patients, LASIK may be suitable regardless of age.

I don't feel anyone is ever too old for LASIK provided they understand what they are getting and not getting. I will use myself as an example. I had laser vision correction of my nearsightedness at age 38 (in 1994) and for the next decade I could see great at far, intermediate and near. Starting at about age 48 I began to need reading glasses and today, at 53, I definitely do. When I perform LASIK on someone over 50 I make absolutely sure there is no other sign of... more

There is no formal age maximum for LASIK surgery however most people over the age of 65 typically will have some evidence of early cataracts. If you have even a small cataract you are likely better off having cataract surgery with a multifocal or accommodating intraocular lens than having LASIK surgery. Unlike LASIK surgery, these premium intraocular lenses can correct both distance and near vision simultaneously by restoring the eye's ability to focus (something all of us start... more

LASIK can be theoretically performed at any age and there have not been problems associated with advanced age and LASIK. From a practical perspective, prior to cataract surgery, many patients past the age of 70 would benefit more from a lens extraction procedure than LASIK for their visual complaints. After cataract and IOL, a LASIK can be performed to fine tune the vision and this is not age dependent. Younger patients seem to heal more quickly in this area as in all others, and there... more

As long as the eyes are healthy, LASIK can be performed at any age. I've treated patients in their 90's. I treated Broadway actress Carol Channing when she was in her early 80's. Older patients have a higher chance of having other eye problems which might disqualify them from being a candidate. Also, older patients with cataracts might be better off having the cataract treated with surgery instead of having LASIK, since properly-performed cataract surgery can also treat... more