One of the most rewarding parts of my San Diego practice is improving the vision and lives of people who were once told they were not a good candidate or didn’t qualify for LASIK eye surgery. It is a privilege and a blessing to be able to help them enjoy the convenience of a glasses- or contacts-free lifestyle — something they may have previously thought was impossible.

You Are Not “Too Old” for LASIK

“I am too old for LASIK” is a very common misconception. In my many years of experience, I have met a number of candidates that assumed they could not have LASIK because of their age. Some of these candidates were even told by other doctors that they did not qualify for LASIK eye surgery. But you are never too old to enjoy excellent vision!

I have successfully performed LASIK eye surgery on many people in their 40s and 50s, giving them clear vision with little to no dependence on glasses or contacts. I have also helped people in their 60s, 70s and 80s attain great vision (although in many cases, cataract surgery is the more appropriate treatment option). Your age is less important than other determining criteria, which I will outline below.

Another common misconception about LASIK candidacy is that you cannot have LASIK if you have a high prescription or astigmatism. In the late 90s, this was true in many cases; but now, with the incredible strides made in LASIK technology, this is no longer the case. Thanks to state-of-the-art technology, I can treat conditions and prescriptions that could not be treated in the past.

My Criteria for a Good LASIK Candidate

Here is what I will take into consideration when evaluating you for LASIK:

• Whether your prescription has recently changed significantly. I can figure this out from your old glasses.
• Your medical history. I need to know whether you have medical conditions, autoimmune disorders or infections — especially MRSA.
• Your current or past medications, and any allergies.
• Whether you have had any eye surgeries.
• Whether you have any eye conditions like dry eye or glaucoma. We will want to address those before proceeding with laser vision correction.
• The thickness of your corneas. If you have very thin corneas, an alternative LASIK procedure like PRK or Epi-LASIK may be more suitable.
• You are at least 18 years old. You must be able to follow my pre- and post-operative instructions.
• Whether you are pregnant or nursing. Although you are welcome to come in for a consultation while you are pregnant or nursing, you cannot be pregnant or nursing at the time of your procedure. The associated hormonal changes can cause your prescription to fluctuate significantly.

Find the Vision Correction Option That Is Right for You

Your eyes are unlike anyone else’s, and you deserve the gift of perfect vision. My goal is to carefully consider your needs and goals and recommend appropriate treatment options. With my world-class training and many years of experience in private practice, I will take special care to find the procedure most likely to give you the fantastic vision you desire in the safest and most comfortable way possible.

After examining your eyes and learning more about your health in general, I will review all of the vision correction options for your age and prescription. I am happy to answer any questions you have, so that you feel equipped to make informed decisions. Together, we will decide what makes the most sense for you.

To schedule a consultation at my La Jolla LASIK practice located in San Diego, please call (858) 551-4100 or send an email today.