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 us what the minimum age for LASIK eye surgery is. Some worry they’ve missed their chance and are too old to undergo the procedure. The good news is that it’s never too late to start pursuing better vision. If you’re young and your prescription is changing, however, you may need to wait. We’ve put together this short post so you can see if you meet the LASIK age requirements and discover what the best age for LASIK is. What’s the minimum age for LASIK eye surgery? You must be over the age of 18 to have LASIK eye surgery. 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 adults over 40 see less improvement in their vision compared to younger adults. However, there are options to improve your eyesight without the use of glasses or contacts at any age. What’s the best age for LASIK? The best age for LASIK 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. This means your prescription is less likely to change. 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 the majority of patients, your eyes begin to change again (naturally) in later life. This is due to a process called presbyopia. This means that even though your eyesight is still better than it would have been without LASIK, it may slightly diminish as you age. Getting LASIK in your mid-20s is optimal, so 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 LASIK, but it can make the process slightly more complicated. This is not a reason to avoid treatment. Many older adults enjoy the benefits of LASIK. As long as you’re a non-smoker, in good health with no history of medical problems, this shouldn’t affect your eligibility for LASIK vision correction. A family history of corneal disorders, glaucoma, and diabetes are also considerations for this age group. You will need to work with your surgeon to consider any conditions or prescription changes to ensure you get the best outcome. Many adults over the age of 45 begin to develop conditions such as 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. 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 over the course of 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 age for LASIK eye surgery, 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 better vision. Start by booking a free consultation with one of our specialists today. Found this post useful? Please share! Home » LASIK » What is the best age for LASIK? Search for: Search... ARE YOU SUITABLE? Check your laser eye surgery suitability online with our free LASIK self-test TAKE SUITABILITY SELF-TEST OUR MOST POPULAR PROCEDURES LASIK SmartSight ICL Lens Replacement PRK Refractive cataract surgery FAQs WHAT OUR PATIENTS SAY… “Very friendly and professional staff. Dr Russell is extremely informative and has a really positive presence. The doctor and all of the staff ensured all my questions were answered fully. I left the surgery feeling as if I’d been really well cared for.” Headshot of Suzanne Cooper, saying how she enjoy great vision without glasses and contact lenses after having eye surgery with VSON Suzanne Cooper “The staff are all friendly and helpful.” Headshot of Alana Jenkins, saying how she enjoy great vision without glasses and contact lenses after having eye surgery with VSON Alana Jenkins “Dr. Russell and the entire team should be commended for their genuine care and personal attention. They made every possible effort to explain and clarify the treatment required and made sure I was comfortable through the consultation treatment.” Headshot of Xerxes Meher, saying how he enjoy great vision without glasses and contact lenses after having eye surgery with VSON Xerxes Meher “I was very impressed with the way they run things. It is a well-oiled machine. Everyone knew exactly what they were doing and were very friendly. To top it off, my treatment was excellent.” Headshot of Iris Van Quickelberghe, saying how she enjoy great vision without glasses and contact lenses after having eye surgery with VSON Iris Van Quickelberghe “Dr. Russell is my hubby’s specialist for years. We love him. Such a kind person and always spends time to explain everything.” Headshot of Zita Farczadi Kershaw, saying her husband enjoy great vision without glasses and contact lenses after having eye surgery with VSON Zita Farczadi Kershaw “Highly recommended. They are always helpful and friendly and the outcomes have been beyond my expectations.” Headshot of Brad Gooda, saying how he enjoy great vision without glasses and contact lenses after having eye surgery with VSON Brad Gooda “Many thanks for your care and skill and a big thanks to all your staff for their friendly care and professionalism shown each time I have visited.” Headshot of Henry Ellison, saying how he enjoy great vision without glasses and contact lenses after having eye surgery with VSON Henry Ellison “My wife came to see Dr Russell today and we wanted to say thank you to all the staff for the kind and professional service. We are also extremely grateful for Dr Russell’s generosity when it came to us paying for the consultation. We wanted to reach out and say thank you so much!” Headshot of Troy and Liana Todd, saying how his wife enjoy great vision without glasses and contact lenses after having eye surgery with VSON Troy and Liana Todd We have replaced the images of real patients who provided these testimonials to protect their privacy.