Lasik. How old is too old?

S

Shaky1

AzB Silver Member
Silver Member
Not sure what to do? My eyes are getting bad.
I don't want to give up the game. I'm not going down without a fight! :mad:
Anyone had it done in their mid 50's? What can I expect?
I'm waiting to see if the "Billiard shooting glasses" can be made for me.
I'm on the third attempt. The first two pair I received didn't work at all.
He (Gordon)said that it may not be possible for me to wear them with my prescription. He is trying!
I might be out of options! :(
 
Most doctors who perform the surgery will take a look at you for free and let you know what your options and suitability look like.

I had mine done young and my mom had it done in her 50's. Bon of us are very happy with the results.

I think it is fine for any age.
 
Thanks!:smile:
Just for the heck of it , my prescrip. is,
Right-+375, -075, 080
Left- +350, -125, 090.
 
Find the best DR and see if you qualify. It is not for everyone.

Playing glasses work and make a difference. BIG difference. You are at the wrong Dr./eye lab. There are good threads about eyewear. My first and second pair did not work out but the optician worked with me until the glasses gave me the proper view.
http://forums.azbilliards.com/showthread.php?t=237352
http://forums.azbilliards.com/showthread.php?t=232211&highlight=pool+glasses
Tell the DR. you need clear vision from an arms length to 9feet.
 
Last edited:
Not too old

I had lasik surgery about 6 years ago at age 63. It has worked great for me. I can see 20/17. Better than when I was young. I can think of no reason not to do it, other than the cost. But now I don't have to buy contacts and the stuff that goes with it.
 
You can actually have it tailor made for pool. I told my dr. i wanted my sight to be very good 3- 10ft. I am 65 had to have it tweeked once . They just keep getting better at this all the time, Iam right eye dominant 20-13 in right eye its not the sight excuse anymore,
 
Ray Martin had the surgery done a few years ago and it really seems to
have worked out for him. I am sure he wouldn't mind if you gave him a
call and asked him. 727 798 5561
 
Shaky1 said:
Not sure what to do? My eyes are getting bad.
I don't want to give up the game. I'm not going down without a fight! :mad:
Anyone had it done in their mid 50's? What can I expect?
I'm waiting to see if the "Billiard shooting glasses" can be made for me.
I'm on the third attempt. The first two pair I received didn't work at all.
He (Gordon)said that it may not be possible for me to wear them with my prescription. He is trying!
I might be out of options! :(
Click to expand...

If you have a family history of cataracts, then don't get it done now. My brother and I both had laser surgery and I got cataracts when I was 59 and my younger brother when he was 56.

The problem occurs with trying to find the right lens when having cataract surgery. My left eye had a bad astigmatism and it took some mighty fine guess work to get the right lens strength. Fortunately, my first laser vision records were available and the doctor went off of that. You see, the lenses don't come in that many unlimited number of strenghts, so the secret is finding the correct lens. After the surgery I had to have laser done again on my left eye and I finally see 20/20 again - in both eyes.

If you don't have bad astigmatism and no family records of cataracts, then go for it. Just beware of the long term consequences.
 
The astigmatism is where the problem is, I believe?
Even with the Billiards Glasses I have a problem seeing a round object when I look up, as in the object ball.
Even though the billiards glasses sit way high, I'm still looking within an eighth of an inch from the top of the lens when I'm looking down table in my stance. He only has an eighth of an inch to work with.
 
There are many different Lasik procedures they can do for different eye issues. I had pretty bad vision and astigmatism and they corrected everything and I haven't had any issues so far. It's been over 5 years now and I'm very happy with it.
 
Shaky1 said:
Not sure what to do? My eyes are getting bad.
I don't want to give up the game. I'm not going down without a fight! :mad:
Anyone had it done in their mid 50's? What can I expect?
I'm waiting to see if the "Billiard shooting glasses" can be made for me.
I'm on the third attempt. The first two pair I received didn't work at all.
He (Gordon)said that it may not be possible for me to wear them with my prescription. He is trying!
I might be out of options! :(
Click to expand...

If you can get Lasik done, and can afford the couple thousand it might cost, in my opinion it's a no brainer. And you're abslutely crazy thinking mid 50's is old.

I had mine done about 10 years ago at age 49. I'm 58 and I don't consider myself old. The eyes are fine!

It's like saying should I walk with a crutch or get knee surgery and be as good as new, even though I'm mid 50's? :smile:

Lasik is basically a safe procedure and it's very effective. The incidence of any significant complication is extremely low.

Chris
 
whitewolf said:
If you have a family history of cataracts, then don't get it done now. My brother and I both had laser surgery and I got cataracts when I was 59 and my younger brother when he was 56.

The problem occurs with trying to find the right lens when having cataract surgery. My left eye had a bad astigmatism and it took some mighty fine guess work to get the right lens strength. Fortunately, my first laser vision records were available and the doctor went off of that. You see, the lenses don't come in that many unlimited number of strenghts, so the secret is finding the correct lens. After the surgery I had to have laser done again on my left eye and I finally see 20/20 again - in both eyes.

If you don't have bad astigmatism and no family records of cataracts, then go for it. Just beware of the long term consequences.
Click to expand...

I don't quite understand what you're saying.

Are you saying get the cataracts treated first, then get Lasik for the correction?

My understanding is the lasik vision correction won't promote or contribute to the development of cataracts, so why wait?

Chris
 
I've always had what I would consider amazing eyesight and figured this was a definite edge in pool. I'm 44 now and starting to suspect this can't last forever. How important is your vision? I know this sound like a dumb question, but I really don't know what it's like to function with bad eyesight. Would it be fair to say that to play above a certain level your eyesight has to be at least 20/20?
 
well.....

spatlese44 said:
I've always had what I would consider amazing eyesight and figured this was a definite edge in pool. I'm 44 now and starting to suspect this can't last forever. How important is your vision? I know this sound like a dumb question, but I really don't know what it's like to function with bad eyesight. Would it be fair to say that to play above a certain level your eyesight has to be at least 20/20?
Click to expand...

...not sure about that.....I've heard some players claim that they are practically blind, but will still play you for money.........
 
Shaky1 said:
The astigmatism is where the problem is, I believe?
Even with the Billiards Glasses I have a problem seeing a round object when I look up, as in the object ball.
Even though the billiards glasses sit way high, I'm still looking within an eighth of an inch from the top of the lens when I'm looking down table in my stance. He only has an eighth of an inch to work with.
Click to expand...

Shaky...I had lasik done because of astigmatism...had it done in my late 20's (just turned 40)...best thing I ever did...well almost! :p

Jason
 
TATE said:
I don't quite understand what you're saying.

Are you saying get the cataracts treated first, then get Lasik for the correction?

My understanding is the lasik vision correction won't promote or contribute to the development of cataracts, so why wait?

Chris
Click to expand...

If you have a cataract history, then wait. If not, then go for it, astigmatism or not.

You are right in that Lasik won't promote the development of cataracts.

Again, if this guy has a bad astigmatism AND a history of cataracts, then wait.
 
spatlese44 said:
I've always had what I would consider amazing eyesight and figured this was a definite edge in pool. I'm 44 now and starting to suspect this can't last forever. How important is your vision? I know this sound like a dumb question, but I really don't know what it's like to function with bad eyesight. Would it be fair to say that to play above a certain level your eyesight has to be at least 20/20?
Click to expand...

IMO, yes. You need at least 20/20 or your game will not be as good as it could be.
 
wahcheck said:
...not sure about that.....I've heard some players claim that they are practically blind, but will still play you for money.........
Click to expand...

I used to offer to play people for cash without my glasses, and drunk. I was blind as a bat w/o my glasses, but could still pocket balls like crazy, even with astigmatism. But not near as good as shooting with contacts back then.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top