Glasses and shooting have been discussed many times on forum but not so much Lasik surgery. I am really tired of my glasses getting in the way for everything I do- been wearing them for about 10 years. Just broke a very expensive pair. I have a consult tomorrow for Lasik. Anyone had this done when they were 55 or older? I know I will still need reading glasses but seeing the target/game without glasses would be a miracle. I haven't heard any feedback from older folks that have had it done. My eyes are healthy otherwise. Any advise is appreciated.

tj, my father-in-law had it done when he was in his late 70's...near 80. I think you will be fine. He had no issues, and he lived to be 96 +.

Wow, that is great feedback! Thanks. Had no idea people that age could do it. One of my concerns (if I am a candidate) is that seeing in the distance will be fine but I may not be able to see the arrow tip, guess I wont know that until I talk to the doc.

I've never heard anyone young or old complain about Lasik. Nobody. Do it.

I had LASIK surgery 8 years ago at age 57 and I'm still free from glasses or contacts. I got the same prescription as the bifocal contacts I used to wear. My right dominant eye is corrected for long distance. My left eye is corrected to be fairly good but not perfect at long distance. This allows me to see up close without reading glasses.

Something to consider is that one day you will be looking at having cataract surgery. That surgery can correct for near and distance vision. Of course it varies as to when a person will develop cataracts. It certainly isn't far-fetched to need the surgery when one is in his late 50's or in his 60's. Might consider when it happened for your parents.

I had the procedure. A few things to consider:

At age you will likely need reading glasses if you don't already. My sister who is quite older went right to reading glasses after the procedure and was disappointed with that after never needing them. The corrected lens makes your muscles work harder and fatigue faster so reading glasses are more likely than not eventually. I had my procedure done 13 years ago now and I am just starting to notice trouble reading in low light.

There are some common complications with seeing halos at night while driving, and having chronic dry eyes. my dry eyes make my eyes more prone to eye infection if I don't use drops regularly.

I have all of these minor bad side effects and I would still do it again in a heartbeat....some wetting drops every now and then and good to go.

Go for it!

I'm 81 years old and had Lasik surgery done on both eyes about 15 years ago. I SEE GREAT!!! Have it done.

I am 61 had it done 6 years ago. I got what they call mono vision. 20/15 in my right eye and close up on my left. I have no need for glasses. Rooty

My wife had it done several years ago, has worked great.

Ran into a friend of mine last night, he was not wearing his glasses which he has worn most of his life. He had cataract's in both eyes and was blind in his left. He had new lenses installed that just came out 3 months ago. No glasses, 20/20 vision, and he is 69 years young. Never seen better in his life. Not lasik, but something new for cataract issues.

talk to your doctor. I had to have some cornea surgery due to a condition and the surgeon strongly advised against it for me.

I spent many years of my career working with ophthalmologists that did all types of eye surgery. I had LASIK done in 2003 when I was 51. Like others above, I had the blended vision approach where my dominant (right) eye was to be corrected for distance and my left eye for reading. It ended up my right eye has 20/20 vision but it is slightly farsighted, just less than +1 diopter, while my left eye is slightly nearsighted, also just less than -1 diopter. That means I can read without glasses (using my left eye) but cannot see clearly within about 6' from my dominant eye which impacts shooting sights on any weapon.

Overall I have been very happy with the results. My brain flips easily from close to far and I have been able to read print down to newspaper size without glasses. Where I do have issues is the in-between distance like computer screens so I wear readers for that.

As I age my eyes have changed slightly and I do have glasses now to correct for distance and reading. I don't need them for hunting and wear them only occasionally but they do give me a crisper view at distance.

I wore glasses or contacts from age 12 until I had LASIK so I'm aware of potential problems like dry eye, halos, etc. I've never had any of these issues. But one issue I had that isn't usually mentioned is caused by the size of my pupils when fully dilated. My left eye pupil is slightly larger than the area that was corrected during LASIK. When this shows up is at dusk or darkening conditions such as driving through a tunnel. I get blurred vision sort of creeping in from my left side. I can fix it by blinking and focusing of a spot ahead but it was disconcerting the first few times it happened. There may have been changes to the procedure and that may not be a problem for folks today.

What is the cost?

I had it done 6 years ago at 58, best thing I ever did for my eyes. Since my main interest is Bowhunting I decided to correct my long vision and I can live with readers in low light conditions.

Thanks for all the great feedback, very encouraging! Gives me confidence that I'm not too old for it. If I am a candidate I will do it. The monovision is interesting, not sure I could deal with that but will look into it (never thought I would get used to progressive lenses either). I am fine with using reading glasses and using eye drops. GBTG- I'll find out cost today but it averages around $4k in my area.

Try to look at Icon LASIKin Colorado, their prices are a fraction of that

I'm in San Diego, there are some much cheaper options here but their reputations aren't impressive. Seems like all the respectable surgeons are $1-2K more than the others- could be BS but who knows.

Best thing I ever did

I'm thinking about going the same route. I know a half dozen ppl who had it done without any issue. One even made a trip back home to Peru for a vacation and had it done their for a fraction of the cost here. And no not in the jungle... :)

tj, i had mine done 15 yrs ago when i was 40. I love it.jw

I got Lasik performed in my dominant right eye and left the other one alone...called mono-vision...and don't regret doing it at all. Mono-vision allows you to not ever wear glasses because while one eye works well for distance the other works well for close-up. The only hiccup I had was when I went to renew my commercial drivers license I couldn't pass the test with my "close-up" eye alone...so hang onto your old glasses...don't toss 'em like I did! I paid right around $2-2500 and that includes lifetime corrections if required, but you have to keep up on your annual eye exams or they won't honor the "warranty". Best thing of all is no more cold frames pressing against your temples during those late season hunts. As Nike states, JUST DO IT!

If you are a candidate for lasik, which is usually determined by your pre-op prescription and your corneal thickness, then mono vision could be a good alternative. Discuss your vision needs with your ophthalmologist, they are all quite familiar with mono vision. But be aware that not everyone likes mono vision. Some people have trouble with their brains fusing the two images. A lot of it depends on how much difference there is between the two eyes when completed (in diopters). They can sometimes give you a pair of test glasses with the monvision prescription in them to see how you like it before having the procedure. Personally, I love monovision, I use it with my contacts when hunting, sports, etc. If your ophthalmologist corrects both eyes for the sharpest distance vision you will see great at distance but WILL NOT see the end of your arrow clearly. Also, there are potential side effects from lasik that some people DO complain about. Some people experience night symptoms like glare and halos while driving at night. Some people experience worsened dry eye symptoms after the procedure. Even so, most people seem to be happy with their choice to have it done. As mentioned earlier, a cataract procedure may offer alternatives, but that's a whole different can of worms. I've worked in the ophthalmic industry since 1992 and would be happy to talk live with you if you wish, just send me a pm. Good luck, Jeff

I am 63 and had it done roughly 10 years ago. Greatest thing since sliced bread. Had halo vision for a short while only at night and then it went away. I have to use readers for up close but have great long range vision. Choose your surgeon carefully. Research the doctor before you jump into it and don't make your decision on price alone. Prices have come down considerably though.

Full meal deal was $3,300 Cad. C/w 5 year warranty.

I had mine done at 27. I let you know in another 25 years how my Vision is

I had lasik probably 8 years ago at 48, as my vision deteriorated i went back for lens replacement surgery. This is typically the cataract surgery, yet i had no cataract.

I would strongly suggest looking at the lens replacement with a multi focal lens.

I now have excellent distance and near vision, no glasses or contacts.

Would do it again

Just don't blink when you're on the table...you don't want to end up looking like Alex in Clockwork Orange! LOL!

(J/K...you can't blink when they're working on you because your eyeball is in a vacuum that prevents blinking)

Not after 55 but I had mine done 17 years ago at 50 and still perfect.I would do it every year if I had to. Lasik is priceless. !!!!!However...research your surgeon carefully because it is after all...eye surgery !!!

Well surprised to hear that I am not a good candidate for Lasik, tomography scan showed weak spots in the corneas- whatever that means. I guess this is a common exclusion from the surgery, makes it very risky. Very disappointed. Guess I am buying new glasses again.

tj, if you don't want to wear glasses, look into CRT. I have done it for years and it is the best I have found without surgery. I sleep with a gas permeable contact at night and then have perfect vision all day without wearing anything.

Great to read all these positive results. I went to a highly advertised clinic here in Wi. They decided to do a procedure called PRK. They said it would take time. That was 6 Mo. ago. There has been no change to my vision. They did only my right eye. I wanted to not have to wear glasses. I didn't mind wearing glasses to read, just wanted to see distance. Had trouble counting points on deer. Be carefull, I spent money for nothing.

Great to read all these positive results. I went to a highly advertised clinic here in Wi. They decided to do a procedure called PRK. They said it would take time. That was 6 Mo. ago. There has been no change to my vision. They did only my right eye. I wanted to not have to wear glasses. I didn't mind wearing glasses to read, just wanted to see distance. Had trouble counting points on deer. Be carefull, I spent money for nothing.

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