Because our eyes change as we age, the type of laser eye surgery or other vision correction we need also may change. Certain approaches to LASIK or other procedures that work well for younger adults, for example, may be inappropriate for older individuals.
In some cases, vision correction surgery may be ruled out entirely. Children under age 18 rarely would be considered candidates for laser vision correction because their eyes change too rapidly as their bodies grow and mature. Also, some people have certain conditions or diseases that would make them poor candidates for certain vision correction procedures and better candidates for other procedures. Examples:
If you have diabetes or other diseases that affect wound healing, you might be a better candidate for PRK or LASEK than certain types of LASIK.
If you have thin corneas, PRK, LASEK, or implantation of the Visian ICL or Verisyse lens are examples of procedures that may be more appropriate for you than LASIK.
Lifestyle also can make a big difference in the type of vision correction you need.
Generally speaking, however, people in their 20s or 30s with mild to moderate farsightedness, nearsightedness, and/or astigmatism are usually excellent candidates for LASIK, PRK, Visian ICL, and other laser vision correction.