Is there a best time to consider LASIK? When it comes to your age, there are times in your life when laser vision correction is the most appropriate. But in general, there has never been a better time for most adults to liberate themselves from lenses, prescriptions and the significant costs of eyewear.
Below, experienced Toronto ophthalmologist Dr. Raymond Stein of Bochner Eye Institute discusses the key variables you’ll want to consider to ensure your new lens-free life is perfectly timed.
Vision Through the Ages
In our early to mid-20s, our eyes continue to change before settling on a more stable range of vision. That is why LASIK is not recommended for persons under 18 — and why patients under 30 should also consider waiting if their prescription has changed within the past year. If LASIK is performed while your vision is still maturing, you may need a revision at a later date.
Otherwise, you are an excellent candidate for LASIK if you are in good health, have a stable prescription, and do not suffer from an eye condition that could affect an ophthalmologist’s ability to reshape the cornea.
If the eye’s lens is clear, LASIK can be an appropriate choice for seniors, as well. If cataracts have begun to develop, however, a better option may be cataract surgery with implantation of an advanced IOL lens. New varieties of these lenses now offer trifocal vision and feature an artificial lens that will remain clear for life.
Time to Discover LASIK
Once you choose laser vision correction, there’s no time like the present to start benefiting from the technology. LASIK provides a high-definition view of the world with a whole new dimension in clarity. After the simple and convenient procedure, your field of vision is wide open, without the visual intrusion of eyewear. You’ll enjoy the convenience and freedom of unlimited peripheral vision, unframed by frames.
Freedom from lenses also means substantial cost savings. With today’s economic uncertainties, many of us have decided that now is a smart time to reduce our personal expenses. LASIK savings begin immediately and grow over the years. Prescription lenses with frames can cost hundreds of dollars. If your prescription changes frequently, or if you simply have a habit of misplacing or cracking your glasses, the expense will be substantial.
Costs for contact lenses add up quickly, too. Depending on the recommended frequency of disposal, you may pay up to several hundred dollars each year for fresh lenses. Contacts that correct for astigmatism will be more expensive. During your regular eye exam, you will also pay extra for an additional contact lens fitting. LASIK eliminates all of these future expenses.
To learn more about LASIK, please call or email Bochner Eye Institute today.
Cataracts are a nearly unavoidable part of getting older. A cataract is a clouding of the eye’s lens that occurs when the proteins that make up the lens clump together. In the early stages of a cataract, it may have little effect on vision. But as a cataract progresses, the visual effects will become nearly impossible to ignore.
After making the decision to have laser vision correction, the most important choice you will make is the surgeon you select to perform your procedure. The search for the right surgeon can be overwhelming if you don’t know what you’re looking for. To help guide you in the right direction, leading LASIK surgeon Raymond Stein of Bochner Eye Institute shares his thoughts on choosing a LASIK provider. 
A common question that Dr. Raymond Stein of 
Do you struggle with the challenges of a refractive error and the restrictions of glasses or contact lenses, yet find yourself on the fence about having