You’ve come to a point in your life where you’re sick and tired of wearing contact lenses and glasses – meaning it’s highly likely that you’ve considered LASIK eye surgery at some point in time. Many Americans undergo the LASIK procedure because of its high success rate, fast healing time and extraordinary results. If you’re considering undergoing laser corrective surgery, now may be the right time for you to get LASIK.
What Does LASIK Do?
LASIK surgery (laser-assisted in-situ keratomileusis) is a surgery that reshapes the cornea to correct refractive irregularities in the eye. Illinois Eye Center’s fellowship-trained LASIK surgeons use the Wavelight Refractive Suite, a completely blade-free technique that is the most cutting edge LASIK technique currently available.
LASIK is an excellent procedure for people who experience:
- Mypoia, or nearsightedness, which makes distant objects blurry while nearby objects are clear
- Hyperopia, or farsightedness, which makes nearby objects appear blurry while distant objects appear clear
- Astigmatism, which causes general blurry vision
If you have these conditions, you likely wear prescription eyewear or contact lenses. People with a moderate degree of refractive error can free themselves of the need to wear corrective lenses through LASIK.
How Old Do You Have To Be For LASIK?
A common question about LASIK is the age requirement. You must be 18 years of age to undergo LASIK. This is due to the fact that your eyes continually change as they develop. However, your prescription continues to develop even after 18, and most LASIK surgery centers require proof that it has been stable for at least two years.
Normally, your eyes will stay stable throughout your mid 20’s, but they’ll change again in your 40’s. Around this time, a condition known a presbyopia often occurs – this is the reason many people require reading glasses.
LASIK is not typically performed on patients over the age of 60 due to the possible onset of cataracts. There are alternatives available for those developing cataracts and having visual problems.
What if I have Presbyopia?
Many adults begin to lose some ability to see objects up close by their mid-40’s. This can impact many up-close activities. Fortunately, there is a solution that many people opt for called monovision. This means having one eye corrected for distance and the other for near vision. While it can take time to get used to monovision, it is an excellent and safe alternative to corrective lenses.
Learn More About LASIK
If you’ve been considering LASIK, it’s time for you to learn more. Attend one of our free seminars or call (309) 243-2400 to request a free consultation today. Free yourself from contacts and glasses and get the crystal clear vision you deserve.