Laser Eye Surgery After 50

It is a common misconception that being over 50 automatically makes you unsuitable for Laser Eye Surgery.

The reality is, if your eyes are healthy and you have had a relatively stable prescription for two years, you will very likely still be suitable for treatment. In fact, around 97% of people – regardless of age – are suitable for Laser Eye Surgery!

Nonetheless, all patients will require a consultation with a qualified surgeon to know for sure.

Laser Eye Surgery is an option for a number of refractory errors, including presbyopia (natural ageing of the eyes). Here at London Vision Clinic, our preferred treatment for presbyopia is PRESBYOND® Laser Blended Vision.

PRESBYOND® is a safe and effective Laser Eye Surgery treatment that can correct both short- and long-sightedness without resorting to inserting an artificial lens inside the eye.

Being over the age of 50 increases your risk of other ocular conditions. If you have a condition such as glaucoma, cataracts, or dry eyes, you may worry that this will affect your suitability for Laser Eye Surgery. However, in many patients, this is not the case.

Glaucoma

Glaucoma becomes increasingly common as we get older. It is usually caused by a build-up of pressure in the eye, leading to damage to the optic nerve. While Laser Eye Surgery will not cure glaucoma, it is still possible for patients with the condition to receive treatment.

Your Laser Eye surgeon should work in conjunction with your glaucoma specialist to ensure that your glaucoma management is not affected by Laser Eye Surgery. At Laser Eye Surgery, our expert surgeons and consultation team will consider each case individually to determine suitability.

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 Laser Eye Surgery available to more people than ever before.

Here at London Vision Clinic, we specialise in treating patients with dry eye. We have a number of measures in place to prevent the dry eye from worsening.

If you are over 50 and have any concerns about an eye condition that you think may make you unsuitable for Laser Eye Surgery, give us a call on 020 7224 1005 and one of the team will be happy to discuss it with you.