Does lasik eye surgery work for people over the age of 50? Also, I am extremely near-sighted.?

Answer 1

Of course it does. You should go talk to a doctor about it. There are several different kinds of surgery available to correct vision now and there really are very few problems that cant be treated with the new techniques.

Answer 2

I am over 50 and had LASIK surgery one month ago. I was near sighted (-4.5 and -3.00), wearing glasses and contacts before the surgery. I knew the risk of needing reading glasses after the surgery. I had LASIK on both eyes for distance and I now have approximately 20/20 vision in each eye. So far, I notice glare and bright lights a bit more and my outside vision is acceptable even up close. I can read in bright sunlight although not very well.
My problem so far is inside the house, where I can see well at a distance but I cannot see close up clearly at all and I need glasses to read. It is worse than my close-up vision with my contacts on before LASIK. I need glasses to see anything clearly within three feet away from me. I am hopeful this will improve at least slightly as my eyes fully heal. I now think I might have made a mistake getting distance LASIK surgery in both eyes.

Answer 3

Yes, lasik is definitely an option for those over 50.

It will not tackle the problem of you needing different prescriptions for distance and near.
If you are very used to being shortsighted, it is possible to opt with being left the right amount of short-sight to read without glasses, and uses glasses just for longer vision.
This is not done commonly, but for some people it is a viable option, as is having one eye corrected for distance and one for near. Discuss all the options with the clinic rather than assume "both eyes to zero for distance" has to be the only way to go.

If you are very near sighted and over 50, there is another option. That is to go for cataract surgery "clear lensectomy". The main useful function of the lens, to change power to work at different distances, is largely lost by 55. And during cataract surgery the eye can be re-powered to any desired value, making changes beyond that easily achieved by Lasik.
Cataract surgery is a very-low risk procedure (no procedure has zero risk)
There is even the option of multifocal implants to provide good distance *and* near vision without spectacles, though there are mixed reports on success... Those that love them, love them, orthers appear very disappointed.
(Research feedback, not manufacturer's claims, for Alcon AcrySof ReStor, Advanced Medical Optics ReZoom, and eyeonics Crystalens)

I may be opting for this in five or six years, and I don't yet know whether I would go for the multifocal option. On current evidence, probably not, but technology changes.

(Optometrist, retired.)

Answer 4

Yes, the Dr. can correct your vision for near or far (not both). you will most likely need to use reading glasses if your corrected for distance. The need for reading glasses is caused by the weakening if eye muscles not the shape of your eye. If they correct one eye for far & one for near you will lose at least some if not most of your deapth perception (good luck driving at night if you go that rout). Reserch your Dr., they only need one days training to be leagly qualified