Optimal Age for Myopia Surgery
Jun 29, 2022
Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Chen You
Introduction
The optimal age range for myopia surgery is 18–55 years. It is recommended that individuals aged 18 years and older undergo myopia surgery, as refractive error tends to stabilize after age 18. In contrast, myopia in school-aged children is readily detectable, but its degree typically progresses continuously alongside physical growth and development. Therefore, children are not suitable candidates for excimer laser surgery.
There is a common misconception about myopia surgery—that myopia can be “cured” through surgery. In reality, surgery does not treat myopia; currently, there is no known method to cure myopia. Instead, surgical procedures are referred to as “corrections,” specifically refractive correction for myopia. So, what is the optimal age for myopia surgery?
Optimal Age for Myopia Surgery
The ideal age range for myopia surgery is 18–55 years. It is generally recommended that individuals aged 18 and older undergo myopia surgery, as refractive error tends to stabilize after age 18. In contrast, children and adolescents—particularly elementary and middle school students—often experience progressive myopia due to ongoing physical growth and development. Therefore, refractive surgery (e.g., excimer laser surgery) is not suitable for minors. For patients over age 55, excimer laser surgery is also generally not advised, as age-related ocular conditions—such as cataracts—become increasingly prevalent. If cataracts develop postoperatively, they may compromise visual recovery.
The most appropriate minimum age is 18 years, when myopia has typically stabilized. Surgery should ideally be performed only after refractive stability has been confirmed. Especially for corneal laser procedures, age-related degenerative changes may occur, leading to biomechanical alterations in the cornea and potentially affecting long-term outcomes. Moreover, after age 45, the lens’s accommodative capacity declines significantly; thus, visual quality may deteriorate following surgery. Consequently, the preferred age range for undergoing refractive surgery is generally considered to be 18–45 years.
Dietary recommendations include consuming light, easily digestible meals rich in vegetables and fruits to maintain regular bowel movements. Spicy and greasy foods should be avoided. Smoking is strictly prohibited. Additionally, alcohol, strong tea, and coffee may elevate intraocular pressure and should therefore be avoided. We hope this information is helpful to you.
