Can I still have LASIK in my 50s and 60s?

While the minimum age for LASIK surgery is 18 years old, there is technically no age limit for laser vision correction. Candidacy for LASIK surgery is typically not dependent upon age, but upon the stability and health of the eye. However, there are certain requirements that any patient must meet in order to be determined a good candidate for the procedure.

What Makes a Good LASIK Candidate?

How Old is Too Old for LASIK?

Surgeons at The Eye Institute of Utah have performed LASIK on patients in their 50’s and beyond. While there is no cutoff age for LASIK candidacy, there are several reasons why the average age of LASIK patients tops out around 45:

The Best Kind of LASIK for Older Patients

Patients who do get LASIK in their 50’s or 60’s are likely to get a type called monovision LASIK. In a monovision procedure, one eye is corrected for distance and one eye is corrected for near vision, with the goal of creating a “blended vision” experience that provides better distance vision while also compensating for presbyopia. Monovision needs to be tested with contact lenses to make sure that it works for your vision before considering moving forward with a monovision LASIK procedure. 

RLE as a LASIK Alternative

For many patients in their 50’s and 60’s, Refractive Lens Exchange (RLE) is a great vision correction choice that offers long-term success. Rather than correct the shape of the cornea as LASIK does, RLE replaces the eye’s lens with an advanced intraocular lens (IOL) in a procedure that is similar to cataract surgery.

Key Benefits of RLE include:

Which Vision Correction Option is Right for You?

You can compare vision options, but the best way to find the right option for you is to schedule a consultation appointment with one of our experts. Your surgeon will be able to evaluate your health and vision goals at a consultation and make personalized recommendations. 

1 Refractive Surgery Council. Are you a LASIK Candidate? 5 guidelines you should know. Available: https://americanrefractivesurgerycouncil.org/general-lasik-candidate-guidelines/ Accessed December 12, 2022.

1 Review of Ophthalmology. Refractive Surgery for Patients over 50. Available: https://www.reviewofophthalmology.com/article/refractive-surgery-for-patients-over-50 Accessed December 12, 2022.