Is it advisable for contact lens wearers to get LASIK in the early 20s as opposed to late 20s?

Doctor's Answers 2

Generally speaking, the younger a person undergoes the LASIK (or other refractive surgery) procedure, the more they are going to get out of it. It is a simple time-related thing. At some point in the future (usually in the 60s and 70s), a person will get cataract and undergo cataract surgery. This is the point where you could say that the effects of LASIK have 'fully depreciated', ie that it serves no particular purpose anymore since cataract surgery can also correct spectacle power by itself.

Bear in mind, however, that in general it is advised that people wait until the early twenties before having LASIK because the spectacle power tends to stabilise by then. The youngest age where a person could have LASIK is 18, provided the spectacle power has not changed in the past year, but most people wait until the early twenties.

As you can see, the early twenties is probably better than the late 20s or 30s, irrespective of whether contact lenses cause progressively drier eyes.

Of course, this does not mean there is nothing to be gained from getting LASIK later on. It can still provide significant benefits - eg convenience of spectacle free clear vision, but the older you get, the more you may have to think of other things like presbyopia as well-especially when you get to your late 30s and forties.

Photo of Dr E-Shawn Goh
Dr E-Shawn Goh

Ophthalmologist

I would think that it is probably more appropriate that a patient considers refractive surgery once their refraction is stable. There is an absence of ocular pathology and their ocular examination is suitable for the desired form of refractive surgery.

The question of dry eyes worsening with age should be less of an influence on the timing of surgery than the patient's psychological preparedness.

Similar Questions

When should one consider LASIK enhancement for residual degree?

Hi ElaineAlthough most people have very good vision without glasses after LASIK, it is possible for what we call under or overcorrection to occur with any kind of refractive surgery. Even if under/overcorrection occurs, it is usually of such a low degree that the patient does not notice it, or it does not affect the patient in their daily life. These under/overcorrections are usually due to small differences in the way a particular person's eyes respond to the laser effect.

Photo of Human

Answered By

Human

What kinds of contact lenses are safe to wear after Femto-LASIK surgery?

Any laser refractive surgery, whether LASIK, PRK, or SMILE changes the corneal shape. Sometimes more, and sometimes less, depending on the amount of spectacle power that is to be corrected. There are a number of different types of contact lenses, but basically, you can differentiate them into soft versus hard/rigid, and corneal versus miniscleral/scleral. Any of these lenses can be safe to wear after laser refractive surgery, provided that they are properly fitted by a qualified optometrist/ophthalmologist.

Photo of Human

Answered By

Human

Ask any health question for free

I’m not so sure about a procedure...

Ask Icon Ask a Question

Join Human

Sign up now for a free Human account to get answers from specialists in Singapore.

Sign Up

Get The Pill

Be healthier with our Bite-sized health news straight in your inbox