Is LASIK eye surgery OK if my eyes are still changing at the age of 41?

Question

I'm 41 and have worn contacgs for astigmatism and near-sightedness since the age of 11. About a year ago, I began having difficulty seeing up close with my contacts on. It is getting worse and worse - to the point that I can't enjoy reading a newspaper, book, and have the computer set at 150% zoom. I cannot wear glasses due to some scar tissue behind both ears from previous surgeries.

My question - as I am "only" 41, I fear that the "old-age-can't-see-the-menu" syndrome is just beginning and that if I pay for lasik now, my eyes will continue to change and I'll end up doing it again in a few years. I don't trust what a doctor (who wants money NOW) would answer.

Anyone had this experience?

Thanks!

Answer 1

You have a big range of options, and I don't have enough details to advise exactly.
How much short-sight? How much astigmatism?
Are the current contacts soft ones or gas-permeable rigid? When corrected, do you have good vision in each eye? Where exactly is the scarring?

Lasik (and variants) can only set your distance vision back to zero, assuming it does its job well (usually, but not always) this would still leave you now, or in a year or two, facing the problem with near vision. And if even the lightest rimless glasses are not an option, that will not be a lot of help.

Bifocal contact lenses do exist, though they can be difficult to get used to, and many people do not succeed with them. Those who love them, love them! One version is simply to give one eye the job of near vision, and one the job of distance. Works well, and cheaply, for some...

Another option, given the difficulties you list, would be to opt for cataract surgery with multifocal implants. If you like, going for internal contacts you never have to clean or remove. This is far from unknown, once near accommodation is being lost. As with other procedures you would have to weigh the costs and the risks and the different types of lenses available. (search for ReStor, ReZoom, Array multifocal).

It's not clear what Lasik has to offer you. Your near vision WILL continue to change.

So my tentative suggestion: check your contact lens refraction (they could simply be a bit too strong)
Take a trial with multifocal contacts.
Find out if the lightest glasses are really out of the question (Some now have straight, not hooked sides)
If all the above proves unsatisfactory, consider refractive cataract surgery.

(UK optometrist)

Answer 2

It depends on your astigmatism.

I have astigmatism, also, and wore contact lenses since fourteen, and then a few years back I inquired about lasik and was told that my astigmatism was so severe that no operation could ever correct it to a point where I would not need glasses.

People's eyes do change as they grow older, and the majority of people will require bi-focals and even tri-focals by the time they are 50 years old.

Glasses are so lightweight nowadays, that even those of us who would wear "coke-bottle" glasses are able to wear lightweight wire frames with lenses that do not change the appearance of our eyes.
And the lightweight, thin progressive lenses available today do not have the lines on the lenses, so people can't tell that you're wearing bi-focals or tri-focals.

I suggest that you visit an opthamologist and see what the eye surgeon says about your eyes and your possible success for lasik surgery.
A lasik surgeon may not be as honest, since they would want your money!
Also, an opthamologist can help you find glasses that you're able to wear due to your surgeries.
An opthamologist may cost more than a regular optometrist, but it will still be cheaper than lasik surgery.

Answer 3

My wife has laser vision correction, but her porblems were nowhere near as severe as yours. The doctor was able to fix the majority of her vision issues, but she still has a slight astigmatism, and now has glasses she has to use occassionally. The issue is whether you are willing to pay the money for an improvement (probablly a drastic one with what you describe) in the knowledge that you will likely still need glasses for some things, or may need follow up procedures.

Check to make sure any follow on corrections within the first 1-3 years are included in your costs, as my wife's doctor did so for her. But now, she is basically on her own, but can watch TV without glasses.

Answer 4

Lasik and Laser eye surgery is very safe nowadays. My cousin got her dental implants and lasik surgery in India by a company called Forerunners Healthcare. The Price for dental and lasik surgery is very less in India. She paid 25% of the price she was quoted in America.

Forerunners Healthcare is very famous in India They arrange Dental surgery, jaw surgery, lasik eye surgery, Dental Implants etc for foreign patients in India. I read a lot about them in the Newspapers and magazines- about their patient stories.
They arrange financing for USA, Canadian, UK and other international patients who plan to have surgery abroad for low cost, as dental and eye surgery is not covered by insurance. They also have photos pasted of their International patients. You can checkout their website. There are huge cost savings. As a doctor I personally believe that surgery can be easily handled in India, as the quality of healthcare available In India is simply best in the world. The surgeons are USA/UK trained and facilities are 5 star.

http://www.forerunnershealthcare.com
Hope this helps.

Answer 5

My girlfriend was told it is better to have her eyes done before she was 40 as nothing can change the fact that your eyes deteriorate when you reach forty. She has had one done and will have the other done in six months and she wishes she had it done earlier