Myopia surgery after 40: risks, benefits, and real outcomes
Is it possible to have refractive surgery after age 40? Discover the pros and cons, from successful vision correction to the onset of presbyopia.
English · Original discussion in Spanish · Published
Myopia surgery after 40: a solution or a new problem?
At age 40, refractive surgery to correct myopia is technically antiestéticasible, but real-world experiences show a wide range of results, from total success to a permanent reliance on reading glasses. One patient, operated on at 46 with 7 diopters in each eye, has gone 13 years without contact lenses or glasses thanks to a technique that left one eye for near vision, bypassing presbyopia. However, another case at age 42 ended up needing reading glasses within a year, even for simple tasks like going to the supermarket.
Laser surgery (LASIK or PRK) reshapes the cornea, whereas cataract surgery replaces the lens, which can also correct myopia. One testimonial describes a 56-year-old who underwent cataract surgery and simultaneously eliminated their myopia, achieving perfect vision. However, risks exist: loss of corneal tissue, calculation errors, and, most notably, presbyopia—the age-related loss of near vision—which can leave patients needing glasses for reading. As an expert noted, myopes often develop presbyopia later, but surgery can accelerate it if not properly planned.
The general recommendation is cautious: undergoing surgery before 40 usually yields better results, but if you are older, it is advisable to evaluate your prescription, corneal health, and expectations. Operating on one eye first and then the other minimizes the risk of serious complications. Bill Gates still wears glasses, and that is no coincidence.
Related forum discussions
At age 40, refractive surgery to correct myopia is technically antiestéticasible, but real-world experiences show a wide range of results, from total success to a permanent reliance on reading glasses. One patient, operated on at 46 with 7 diopters in each eye, has gone 13 years without contact lenses or glasses thanks to a technique that left one eye for near vision, bypassing presbyopia. However, another case at age 42 ended up needing reading glasses within a year, even for simple tasks like going to the supermarket.
Laser surgery (LASIK or PRK) reshapes the cornea, whereas cataract surgery replaces the lens, which can also correct myopia. One testimonial describes a 56-year-old who underwent cataract surgery and simultaneously eliminated their myopia, achieving perfect vision. However, risks exist: loss of corneal tissue, calculation errors, and, most notably, presbyopia—the age-related loss of near vision—which can leave patients needing glasses for reading. As an expert noted, myopes often develop presbyopia later, but surgery can accelerate it if not properly planned.
The general recommendation is cautious: undergoing surgery before 40 usually yields better results, but if you are older, it is advisable to evaluate your prescription, corneal health, and expectations. Operating on one eye first and then the other minimizes the risk of serious complications. Bill Gates still wears glasses, and that is no coincidence.
Related forum discussions
- I am overweight, weighing 90kg, and I am going to start going to the gym 3 days a week at 6am · 227 replies
- Cardio is a waste of time · 42 replies
- I am overweight, weighing 90 kilos, and I have been going to the gym for 2 and a half years · 12 replies
- The doctor tells me I have to take cholesterol pills forever because my own body produces it wtf?? · 243 replies
Also available in: Deutsch
Summary of a discussion on Burbuja.info - Foro de economía, actualidad y política., translated from Spanish and reviewed before publication. Read the full discussion (21 replies).
More summaries
-
DNA Tests Change Your Origins: Science or Business?
Ethnic origin percentages shift following a MyHeritage algorithm update. As kit prices drop, the focus shifts from genetic science to data business.
-
Genetics or effort: why the gym doesn't give equal results
Genetics explains why two women with the same training get opposite bodies. Responsible gym consumption starts with knowing this.
-
Helmeca: nearly €5,000 for a German course and a promised job
Helmeca offers jobs in Germany to early childhood educators but ends up selling a German course for almost €5,000 for a B2 level that many doubt is achievable.
-
Mercadona's €3 burger sparks debate among shoppers
A €3 burger from the Spanish supermarket Mercadona has divided customers, with some comparing it to McDonald's and others criticizing its ingredients.
-
Mobile FM radio chips are being phased out by manufacturers
Despite costing only cents, FM radio chips are disappearing from high-end smartphones. Without data or networks, FM remains a vital fallback channel.
-
15-year-old BMW diesel vs. car leasing: which is cheaper?
Is an old BMW diesel more economical than a modern SUV rental? We compare fuel consumption, costs, and reliability in the classic car debate.