hi everyone! I was wondering if anyone knows at what age can you get the lasik surgery? I am 21 years old and have had bad eyesight since I was 6. I’ve heard some people say that I should wait until the age of 25…that’s long!! I know I should wait for the lasik technology to get even better/improve…… anyone? 
Minimum Age For Lasik Surgery?
February 13, 2010 By 4 Comments
24-25 years of age is the standard advice. It’s only about then that you can be reasonably confident that your eyes have finished changing.
(Unless they haven’t, in which case perhaps wait until the refraction is stable for at least a couple of years)
Getting your eyes reset to zero and then having them shift a dioptre or so due to residual growth would be a major inconvenience. “Repeat” or adjustment surgeries are to be avoided where possible, as the complication and side-effect rates do increase.
The technology *is* improving, but the success rate is already high.
There remains an appreciable risk, however, and some of the less than ideal results leave permanent problems: increased glare, especially at night, unstable refraction, loss of quality of best-possible vision… To repeat: these are rare, but they do happen. This has to be accepted in the decision to proceed with surgery.
When evaluating a clinic, look at both their success rate and what they define as a “success”. Some clinics set their goalposts so as to make counting “successes” quite easy.
(Optometrist, retired)
The lower age limit is actually 21, but that doesn’t necessarily mean that Lasik it suitable at that age. The best advice I can give is to consult a Lasik surgeon to see whether your eyes are ready for surgery.
Here’s a website with advice on how to find a suitable surgeon and the questions to ask. I hope this helps.
Good luck!
Well…you’ve waited this long, what’s a few more years? Seriously though, I think the reason why people think you should wait longer is you eyes continue to grow and change. I know it seems like my prescription is constantly changing. I hope to finally have it done the end of this year – I’ve had bad eyes since about 9 and I’lm 34 in a few weeks.
I know a lady who was almost 18 when she got lasik as a high school graduation gift. Her parents consented on her behaf and gave the surgeon permission. She was too vain for glasses and couldn’t tolerate irritating contacts and her prescription had been stable for over 2 years.
You could get lasik at 21 if your vision is stable for some time. Are you in a hurry? Have you checked into other options? If you can wait, do so as I don’t feel lasik technology is safe. I won’t touch lasik on my own eyes.