How old do you have to be to get LASIK?

LASIK is considered to be a safe procedure for adults of all ages. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) publishes that you need to be at least 18 years old in order to qualify for LASIK. In general, the average age at which people undergo a LASIK procedure is between the ages of 20 and 40.

There is no specific age that is considered too old for the surgery, but certain considerations and recommendations need to be explored in the older population. It is important to ensure that your eyes are healthy, stable, and other conditions are met to ensure you are eligible for corrective refractive eye surgery.

Typical (Recommended) Age Range for LASIK
Below is a breakdown of LASIK surgery considerations by age:

18 to 24 Years

Even though the FDA approves LASIK surgery for patients above 18 years, your eye surgeon may suggest that you wait some more years. Human eyes grow and change until about age 24, making it uncommon for ophthalmologists to recommend LASIK surgery for patients younger than 25. However, patients in the law enforcement, military, or professional athletes are specially considered.

25 to 40

Most surgeons often clear patients between 25 and 40 years old for LASIK eye surgery for several reasons. For starters, your eyeglasses and contact lens have stabilized by this age. A stable eye makes you an ideal candidate for the surgery.

40 to 55

If you have never experienced any vision problem before reaching this age group, you might need to use reading glasses after turning 40. However, this doesn’t mean you aren’t a good LASIK surgery candidate. If you don’t smoke and have a good medical history, you have more chance you have of being cleared for the surgery. Most patients considered for LASIK in this age group include those with a history of corneal disorders, diabetes, and glaucoma.

56 and Up

While there is no upper age limit preventing seniors from undergoing LASIK, several factors should be considered before senior adults are approved for surgery. Even patients over 60 with a clear vision are good candidates. Nonetheless, you should inform your eye surgeon about your medication use and other presenting eye problems before the surgery.

NVISION: The Eye Doctors' #1 Choice in LASIK and Laser Cataract Surgery