Is LASIK recommended after 50?

The further on we get in life, the more we begin to regret the things we didn’t do – as opposed to those we did. It is, therefore, understandable that, as we get older, Laser Eye Surgery begins to look increasingly attractive.

After all, who wants to spend the rest of their lives looking around frantically for misplaced glasses or fumbling around with contact lenses?

One thing is for certain: no one will ever look back and regret taking the step to permanently improve their vision.

Unfortunately, for many years, Laser Eye Surgery was powerless against presbyopia (the natural ageing of the eyes). Luckily, that is no longer the case, meaning that clearer vision could be just around the corner – yes, even if you are over 50!

With the introduction of PRESBYOND® Laser Blended Vision, Laser Eye Surgery has already turned back the clock for thousands of people. But before we get carried away, there are some things that should be considered.

Life and Laser Eye Surgery after 50

The first thing to consider when looking into Laser Eye Surgery is that you have a stable prescription. This means that your prescription has been the same for at least a year prior to surgery.

Second, your eyes must be in good health. If you have cataracts or other visual conditions that cannot be treated by Laser Eye Surgery, then you might not be suitable.

Some of these common visual conditions that may affect your chances of being suitable for Laser Eye Surgery include:

Glaucoma

Glaucoma is an eye condition that is usually caused by a build-up of pressure in the eye. This pressure can lead to damage to the ocular nerve, affecting vision. While Laser Eye Surgery cannot cure glaucoma, many people with the condition are still eligible for treatment.

It is important for your Laser Eye surgeon to work alongside your glaucoma specialist to ensure your glaucoma management is not affected by treatment.

Cataracts

Cataracts are characterised by the clouding of the eye’s natural lens. They usually develop slowly as a result of ageing; however, they can also be caused by certain medical conditions. Cataract surgery can often be an effective option if cataracts are limiting your vision.

This surgery (which is available at London Vision Clinic) involves replacing the clouded lens with an implant. Cataract surgery often improves vision so much that the patient no longer requires glasses; however, if this is not the case, it is possible to undergo a corneal laser enhancement procedure to improve the prescription after cataract surgery.

Dry Eyes

Another problem our eyes can face as we get older is dryness. Dry eye is caused by reduced productivity of the tear ducts which occurs naturally as we age. In the past, having dry eye may have made you unsuitable for Laser Eye Surgery, but not anymore!

Thanks to the introduction of the minimally-invasive ReLEx SMILE, the vast majority of patients with dry eye are now suitable for laser vision correction. This ‘keyhole’ surgery significantly reduces the risk and severity of post-surgery dry eye, making treatment more widely available.

As one of the few Laser Eye Surgery clinics in the UK to offer SMILE, London Vision Clinic specialise in treating patients with dry eye. In addition to SMILE, we also have a number of measures in place to prevent dry eye from worsening – including the prescription of lubricating drops.

In summary, it is your health, not your age, that is the best determining factor of your suitability for Laser Eye Surgery.

PRESBYOND® Laser Blended Vision

It is true that Laser Eye Surgery was once limited to specific groups; but, after three decades of technological advancements, things are very different today.

So different, in fact, that around 97% of people are now suitable for Laser Eye Surgery – including those aged over 50.

As Laser Eye Surgery has advanced, the “over-50s” now have particularly good options for treatment.

Presbyopia (ageing eyes) happens to everyone at some point. For many people, this will eventually mean the introduction of the dreaded reading glasses.

Luckily, the revolutionary PRESBYOND® Laser Blended Vision is specially designed to counter the effects of presbyopia, improving reading vision for many years — if not forever.

A New Approach to “Monovision”

You may have heard of “monovision” contact lenses – you may even have used them before. “Monovision” means that one lens helps you to see distance and the other helps you to see up close.

PRESBYOND®also uses a small amount of monovision, but with one key difference: the vision is blended. This means that each lens can see both long and short distances to some extent. That is, the eye that sees distance can also see a little up close, and vice versa. This more closely mimics the eyes’ natural way of seeing.

PRESBYOND® Laser Blended vision delivers a much better depth of focus and clearer overall vision at all distances. To round it off, while only 60% of people can tolerate monovision in contact lenses, more than 95% adapt successfully to PRESYBOND®!

PRESBYOND® can also help many achieve better results than they could ever have imagined:

• Over 98% of PRESBYOND® Laser Blended Vision patients can read normal newsprint (‘N8’).
• Over 90% of PRESBYOND® Laser Blended Vision patients can read the small print on medicine bottle inserts.

So, are you ready to ditch the reading glasses and turn back the clock on your vision? You too could once again have not only clear but complication-free vision with the help of PRESBYOND® Laser Blended Vision.

Find out more about Laser Eye Surgery for ageing eyes or Book a Consultation at London Vision Clinic today. Alternatively, give us a call on 020 7224 1005.