How Old Do You Have to Be to Get LASIK?

You’re an active and busy individual, ready to leave your glasses and contacts behind, but is now the right time for LASIK? Whether you’re a college student wanting a lens-free lifestyle, a parent tired of the daily lens routine, or an active retiree focusing on visual freedom, asking “How old do you have to be to get LASIK?” is a smart question that helps ensure your timing and results are right. At Florida Eye Custom Vision, we’ve guided thousands in Jacksonville and beyond to clearer vision—safely, compassionately, and with lasting results. If you’re wondering about LASIK’s age requirement, we’re here to explain the legal minimum age, the reasoning behind it, and if there’s a “best age” for LASIK.

What Is The Minimum LASIK Age Requirement?

The FDA mandates that patients be at least 18 years old to undergo LASIK, a standard followed rigorously by our surgeons at Florida Eye Custom Vision. This isn’t any arbitrary rule; it’s based on science and clinical experience. Your eyes—and your vision prescription—continue to develop well into your late teens and early twenties. Here’s why the LASIK age requirement matters:

Ocular Maturity and Prescription Stability

• Eye Development. Teenagers’ corneas and refractive status are still maturing. Performing LASIK too early risks correcting a prescription that may soon change, leading to temporary or incomplete results.
• Stable Prescription. At Florida Eye Custom Vision, we require 1-2 years without significant changes in your glasses or contact lens prescription before recommending LASIK. Stable vision means the shape of your eye is consistent, allowing for precise laser correction, improved safety, and longer-lasting outcomes.

FDA Safety Guidelines

All our technology—ZEISS VisuMax® bladeless femtosecond laser and custom Wavefront-guided LASIK—is FDA-approved for patients 18 and older, ensuring treatments meet strict safety and efficacy standards. The VisuMax offers a faster, gentler, and more accurate experience thanks to its curved contact interface, which reduces pressure on your eye for greater comfort and speed. With VisuMax, our surgeons deliver consistently superior vision correction with a focus on both safety and comfort. This advanced platform also means we will soon offer SMILE, the next generation in minimally invasive laser vision correction.

Is There a “Best” Age for LASIK? What Jacksonville Patients Should Consider

While 18 is the legal age requirement for LASIK, many patients benefit from waiting longer for optimal results. There’s no single “magic number,” but there’s often a sweet spot.

1. Ages 18-24. While you’re legally eligible, rapidly changing prescriptions are common in this age bracket. Many choose to wait until their mid-20s, after 2 years of stable eye prescriptions, as verified by an optometrist, as this helps you save time, money, and gives you the best possible vision outcome.

2. Ages 25-40. This is considered the ideal window. By now, your prescription has likely settled, and you can expect years, even decades of visual freedom from your LASIK treatment.

3. Ages 40 and Above. LASIK has no strict upper age limit. As long as your eyes are healthy and your prescription is stable, you’re likely a candidate. However, age-related changes like presbyopia (difficulty focusing on near objects) or early cataracts can shift our recommendation from LASIK to another advanced alternative like cataract treatment or custom lens replacement.

Going Beyond Age – Who’s a Great LASIK Candidate?

While 18 is the minimum age you need to be to get LASIK, it’s only one determining factor. At Florida Eye Custom Vision, we consider multiple factors during your personalized consultation with us, including other criteria like:

1. Your vision prescription is stable. We review 2-3 years of prior eye history.
2. You’re not pregnant or nursing (hormonal changes can affect vision stability).
3. You have healthy eyes without significant disease or injury that would affect healing.
4. You have common refractive errors like nearsightedness (myopia), farsightedness (hyperopia), or astigmatism.

Our nationally recognized surgeons, Dr. Amit Chokshi and Dr. S. Akbar Hasan, will perform a series of in-depth, painless evaluations using corneal mapping and 3D scans to gather the detailed information needed to confirm you have healthy eyes and that we can design a tailored treatment plan.

Discover If It’s The Right Time for LASIK With Jacksonville’s Leading Team

At Florida Eye Custom Vision, we combine decades of surgeon experience, state-of-the-art bladeless technology, and a patient-centered approach to delivering safe, precise, and life-changing LASIK. Whether you’re in your 20s or beyond, our Jacksonville team is here to help you see and live better. Book your personalized LASIK consultation online for convenient scheduling or call (904) 268-3937 to speak with our friendly staff and start your journey toward clearer vision.