LASIK Surgery for Seniors

An inevitable part of life, aging is something that we simply cannot stop no matter how much effort we put into it. As we grow older, we develop wrinkles, obtain slower reflexes and our senses eventually decline in terms of perception. As a general rule, we begin to see a slight decline in the above and our overall health when we reach about 40 years of age.

Our eyesight is by far one of the first of our senses to be affected, which is one of the many reasons why there are so many eye surgery procedures out there. We all want to do whatever we need in order to gain back the eyesight that we had when we 20 years old and LASIK eye surgery is one of the most popular and better-quality eye surgeries that can help us get that eyesight back even at our advanced age.
Age Requirements for LASIK
Most surgeries require an age limit in order for you to be an eligible candidate; however, for the most part, regardless of your age, LASIK eye surgery is suitable for you and proves to be effective. As long as you are over 18 years of age and meet the necessary eligibility requirements, you can receive this eye surgery. Therefore, even as an elderly individual, you have just as much right to have the surgery and expect quality results and success from the surgery as a 20-year-old or a 30-year-old does.
Thorough Medical History and Interview is Required Prior to LASIK Surgery
While it may be true that LASIK eye surgery is a procedure that is suited for and quite effective for seniors, there are still several things that could keep senior citizens from being highly qualified candidates to undergo this particular surgery. The LASIK eye surgeon of the individual's choice will perform a complete medical history in addition to interviewing them about their overall health. Based on the informative that the LASIK surgeon receives during the interview and from reviewing the medical history of the patient, some individuals are actually recommended to not undergo the LASIK procedure as it could worsen their eye condition or not improve it at all.
What are Cataracts; Is LASIK an Option for the Curing of Such?
A cataract is the clouding, or blurriness, of the natural lens of the eye, which is just behind pupil and iris. Cataracts are the most common of causes regarding vision loss in people 40 years of age and older and is the primary cause of blindness across the world. In today's world, there are more than 22 million individuals in America of at 40 years of age that have cataracts. The PBA, Prevent Blindness America, says that by the year 2020, cataracts are expected to overcome over 30 million American individuals. In addition, the PBA says that more cataract cases exist than glaucoma, diabetic retinopathy and macular degeneration combined.
Three of the most common types of cataracts include:
-Nuclear Cataract - this is a cataract that forms deeply into the nucleus - or central zone - of the eye's lens and are generally associated with inevitable aging.
-Subcapsular Cataract - this is a cataract that is often found at the back of the eye's lens. Those individuals with diabetes, retinitis pigmentosa or high farsightedness are at higher risk of developing this particular type of cataract as well as those that take large doses of steroids.
-Cortical Cataract - this is a cataract that starts within the lens' periphery and works its way to the middle of the lens in what is considered a spoke-like manner.
These cataracts are distinctively characterized by wedge-like, white opacities are usually occurs in the cortex of the eye's lens. The cortex is the component that encompasses the central nucleus.
While age is not necessarily an issue in determining whether or not you are a candidate for LASIK eye surgery, age-related issues are. For example, most individuals that have been diagnosed with glaucoma or have cataracts are generally not ideal candidates for the LASIK eye surgery procedure. There may be something that you can speak with your LASIK surgeon about; however, it is important to understand ahead of time that when you walk into the consultation room with your LASIK surgeon that there may be the possibility of you walking out there without an appointment scheduled for your LASIK eye surgery.
Discover if this popular procedure is right for you. Now there's a comprehensive, easy-to-read guide that cuts out the fluff and covers the entire LASIK eye process from pre-surgery consultations to what happens during the actual surgery. Also what to expect after the surgery. http://www.whylasiksurgery.com/