LASIK surgery is a type of surgery that uses laser beams to correct certain eye defects like nearsightedness or farsightedness, and astigmatism. There is no specific age limitation except that the patient must be over 18 years old, which is the age defined by the FDA.
At the same time, the most common age range for LASIK is between the ages of 21 to 40 years. Apart from that, the fitness of the candidate for LASIK may depend on other factors not related to age, such as current physical condition or the presence of a more severe disease.
As a general rule, the best age to get LASIK would be that age when the eyes have fully matured and the person has had a stable prescription for at least two years. Some doctors recommend that a patient wait until he or she reaches 21 years of age before undergoing LASIK. This is to allow the body to correct any eye problems naturally, and to make sure that the eye has already matured, so that any surgical changes done on it has a higher chance of remaining permanent.
LASIK surgery may be appropriate even for 18 year olds who want to enjoy the benefits of clear vision as early as possible. Teens who have been battling severe myopia, for example, may want to have the surgery done as soon as possible so they can stop wearing glasses. The procedure can also be safe even for those who are well in their 60s, 70s, and 80s; especially those who remain physically fit and healthy with no underlying conditions, such as diabetes. Common reasons for the surgery for people in this age group include cataracts and other age-related eye conditions.
