Can My Child Have LASIK?
If you wake up each day, open your eyes, and have sharp, crisp vision you might not fully understand the frustration of struggling with blurry eyesight. For years, glasses and contact lenses have been the standard solutions for poor vision, but laser eye surgery has emerged as a true game-changer. LASIK (Laser-Assisted in Situ Keratomileusis) has revolutionized the process of refractive correction by reshaping the cornea with a precise laser, allowing millions of adults the freedom to see clearly without the hassle of traditional corrective lenses. Now the big question is: can this life-changing procedure work for kids too? Let’s explore.
The FDA approves LASIK surgery for those 18 and older because the eyes are generally fully developed by that age, making the procedure more effective. Before 18, a child’s vision and eye growth are still changing, which can impact the surgery’s results. As such, LASIK is typically not recommended for children. However, there are some exceptions for younger patients in rare cases, but these are typically evaluated on an individual basis by an ophthalmologist. These may include:
Anisometropia: This condition, where there’s a significant difference in prescription between the two eyes, is a common cause of amblyopia (lazy eye) in children. Laser vision correction can help balance the refractive power of both eyes, potentially improving vision and preventing the development of amblyopia.
High bilateral ametropia: When a child’s vision is so severely impaired that glasses or contact lenses can’t provide effective correction, LASIK may be an option to restore clearer vision.
Developmental or neurobehavioral issues: Some children face challenges with wearing glasses or contact lenses due to physical or behavioral conditions; these may also include conditions like cerebral palsy or autism.
The most common reasons children need vision correction are myopia (nearsightedness) and astigmatism. Myopia is on the rise in kids, and it’s mainly due to more screen time and less outdoor play. When kids spend hours staring at screens or reading up close, their eyes can strain and develop myopia. On top of that, being indoors all the time means they miss out on the benefits of natural light and focusing on distant objects, which help keep eyes healthy. It’s a modern-day twist on growing up that’s causing more kids to need glasses. Only in very rare cases, where quality of life is significantly affected and other methods have been exhausted to no avail, would LASIK be considered for extreme myopia or severe astigmatism.
If you have concerns about your child’s visual abilities and development, schedule an appointment with your ophthalmologist at Correct Vision laser Institute. Call today at 954-442-1133 or learn more at WEBSITE.