Is laser lasik safe for a person over 70 years old who is tired of wearing glasses?

Answer:
If you check current ophthalmic literature, LASIK in general is safe. But it doesn't mean that LASIK is 100% fool proof and no complications whatsover EVER occurs. Complications do happen but they do so at quite an infrequent rate.

As for the issue of being 70 years old, it is a matter of opinion. Medically speaking if you qualify for LASIK (pass all screening tests), regardless of your age, you can undergo the procedure, but the question is, is it practical?

LASIK is good up until you develop a cataract, and at 70 years old, a cataract is likely to happen anytime soon. We are currently at a point where intra-ocular lens implants are fast improving. There are actually several options nowadays in terms of intra-ocular lenses for individuals who want to be spectalce free (including reading glasses). If I were in your position, I would opt for the multi-focal or accomodating intra-ocular lens (IOL) implants over any kind of LASIK available.

Ask your ophthalmologist about the multifocal IOLs (Alcon Restor, AMO array and rezoom) and the latest accomodating IOLs (crystalens, synchrony). It might be available in your area of the world.

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You will still need reading glasses even if you do get the surgery. Only your opthomologist can tell you if it is safe and effective for someone your age.

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Yep.
But you have to have healthy eyes.
Most lasik docs do a free consult.
Ask today.

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If the person is in reasonably good health, yes. If they have cataracts, they need to be removed first...

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Generally, no.

The eye is flexible as a youngster, but as you grow older, the eye loses its flexibility, and laser surgery is usually ineffective.

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Here is my OPINION on this. Lasik is a huge scam the way it is advertised, at least in my area. More and more I am becoming distrusting of doctors as they treat it like a business and not a labor of love.
Here is my personal experience, take it for what it is worth.
They advertise that you can get Lasik for $599 for both eyes in my area. When you go in they scan you and tell you how much it will be, usually double in my experience and from those that I know. When you ask about the $599, they tell you that is for someone with a very low correction.
The eye has a tissue under the cornea, and basically they 'flatten' your eye to correct your pointy vision, by burning that tissue away. There is only so much they can burn of this.
When your eye heals, you WILL need to go back if you have an average correction to have it redone. They stated this up front. After this, after a few years to 10 years, especially as you age and with diet, your eyes will get worse again and you WILL need to wear a slight correction in the form of glasses. Which as I asked, then why have it done? Doesn't that defeat the purpose?
The better option seems to be RadioKaratonomy (sp?) where they can adjust your correction with inplants in your eyes.
I personally know a few people that went ahead anyway and had this procedure done, and LOVE it! BUT, they barely wore glasses prior as their correction was not high. Lately however, they have been complaining of blurred vision, and one guy is wearing glasses again because he can not be corrected further as there is only a small amount they can 'burn' away to flatten your eye...then you're back on glasses.

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