LASIK and Your Child
Why LASIK Is Generally Not Performed on Children
Children's eyes continue to develop well into their teenage years and sometimes into their early twenties. During this growth period, the shape and length of the eyeball change regularly. LASIK permanently reshapes the cornea to match a specific prescription, so performing the procedure while the eyes are still growing would not provide lasting results.
As your child's eyes continue to develop after surgery, their vision prescription would change again. This means the benefits of LASIK would fade over time, and your child might still need glasses or contacts later.
One of the most important requirements for LASIK is having a stable vision prescription. We typically need to see that your prescription has stayed the same for at least 12 months before recommending surgery. Most children experience changes in their prescription from year to year, which makes them unsuitable candidates.
Our eye doctor tracks prescription changes at every annual exam. If we notice frequent adjustments to your child's glasses or contact lens strength, this tells us their eyes are still changing and LASIK should wait.
Performing LASIK on eyes that are still growing carries additional risks beyond simply losing the correction over time. The procedure could interfere with normal eye development in ways we cannot fully predict. Because young eyes are more flexible and continue to change shape, the surgical outcome may be less predictable than in adults.
We also want to avoid putting your child through a surgical procedure that may need to be repeated or adjusted later. Waiting until eye development is complete gives us the best chance for a successful, lasting result.
The FDA has approved LASIK for individuals 18 years and older. This age guideline reflects the fact that most people's eyes have reached stability by their late teens or early twenties. However, even at 18, some young adults still experience prescription changes and may need to wait longer.
Our eye doctor evaluates each person individually rather than relying on age alone. Just because someone has reached 18 does not automatically mean they are ready for LASIK if their prescription is still changing.
How Eye Development During Childhood Affects LASIK Timing
It is completely normal for children to experience vision changes as they grow. Many children develop nearsightedness during their school years, and this condition often progresses until the late teens or early twenties. Farsightedness may also shift during growth spurts, and astigmatism can develop or change over time.
These natural changes are part of healthy eye development. They do not mean anything is wrong with your child's eyes, but they do mean LASIK would be premature.
For most people, vision prescriptions stabilize in the late teens or early twenties. Some individuals reach stability by age 18 or 19, while others may continue to experience changes into their mid-twenties. The timing varies from person to person based on genetics, growth patterns, and the type of vision problem.
Girls often reach prescription stability slightly earlier than boys, though this is not a strict rule. The key is documenting at least one year with no significant changes before considering any type of vision correction surgery.
You may notice several signs that indicate your child's prescription is still shifting. Common clues include frequent complaints about blurry vision even with updated glasses, difficulty seeing the board at school, squinting to see distant objects, or sitting very close to screens.
- Needing new glasses prescriptions every year or more often
- Complaints that glasses are not working well after a few months
- Progressive worsening of nearsightedness or other vision problems
- Changes in how your child holds books or devices to see clearly
During each yearly eye exam, we measure your child's prescription carefully and compare it to previous visits. We record the degree of nearsightedness, farsightedness, or astigmatism and look for any trends. This tracking helps us understand how quickly your child's eyes are changing and when they might reach stability.
We also assess eye health, corneal thickness, and overall eye structure. These measurements create a baseline that will be important later if your child becomes a LASIK candidate as a young adult.
Rare Medical Situations When LASIK May Be Considered for Minors
In uncommon cases, a child may have very different prescriptions in each eye, a condition called anisometropia. When the difference is extreme, the brain may have trouble blending the images from both eyes. This can lead to poor depth perception, eye strain, or suppression of the image from one eye.
If glasses or contact lenses cannot adequately address the problem and the child's vision development is at risk, our eye doctor may consider refractive surgery as a medical intervention. Even in these cases, we explore all other options first and require extensive testing and consultation.
Sometimes a large prescription difference or uncorrected vision problem can lead to amblyopia, commonly called lazy eye. If traditional treatments such as glasses, contact lenses, or patching therapy are not working and the child is at risk of permanent vision loss in one eye, surgery may be considered in specific cases.
This decision is never made lightly. We work closely with pediatric eye specialists and consider the child's age, the severity of the condition, and whether surgery truly offers the best chance to preserve vision.
Certain medical conditions or physical differences can make wearing glasses or contact lenses extremely difficult or impossible for a child. Examples might include facial structure differences, severe skin conditions around the eyes, or developmental conditions that prevent proper use of corrective lenses.
When traditional vision correction is not practical and the child's quality of life or development is seriously affected, we may evaluate whether a surgical option could help. These situations are very rare and require thorough medical review.
If we are considering LASIK or another refractive procedure for a child due to a medical condition, we conduct a much more detailed evaluation than we would for an adult candidate. This includes multiple measurements over several months, consultations with pediatric specialists, and discussions about alternatives.
- Detailed corneal mapping and thickness measurements
- Evaluation of tear production and eye surface health
- Assessment of the child's ability to cooperate during and after surgery
- Review of all non-surgical options and why they have been inadequate
- Discussion with parents about realistic expectations and potential risks
If we determine that surgery is the best option for your child's unique medical situation, we will explain the entire process thoroughly. You will meet with our surgical team, receive detailed instructions for before and after the procedure, and have time to ask questions. We will also discuss realistic expectations and the possibility that additional procedures might be needed as your child continues to grow.
Throughout the process, our priority is your child's long-term vision health and safety. We will provide close follow-up care and adjust our treatment plan as needed based on how your child's eyes respond and continue to develop.
Safe and Effective Vision Correction Options for Children
For the vast majority of children with vision problems, eyeglasses are the safest and most effective solution. Modern glasses are lightweight, durable, and come in styles that children find appealing. They provide excellent vision correction without any risk to eye health or development.
We work with you to find frames that fit well and match your child's lifestyle. Many sports-friendly and impact-resistant options are available for active children, and anti-scratch coatings help glasses last longer.
Once children reach an age where they can responsibly handle contact lens care, usually around 10 to 14 years old depending on maturity, contacts can be an excellent option. They offer a wider field of vision than glasses, do not fog up or get splashed with rain, and allow for easier participation in sports and activities.
We teach both you and your child proper insertion, removal, and cleaning techniques. Daily disposable lenses are often the best choice for children because they require less maintenance and reduce the risk of eye infections.
Orthokeratology, or ortho-k, involves wearing specially designed rigid contact lenses overnight that gently reshape the cornea while your child sleeps. In the morning, the lenses are removed, and your child can see clearly throughout the day without glasses or contacts. This is a completely reversible process.
Ortho-k can be especially helpful for children with progressive nearsightedness. Studies show it may also help slow the progression of myopia in growing eyes, giving it a dual benefit during the critical development years.
For children whose nearsightedness is getting worse each year, we may recommend specialized myopia control treatments. These can include special multifocal contact lenses, atropine eye drops in low doses, or ortho-k lenses. The goal is to slow down how quickly the prescription increases, which can reduce the risk of serious eye problems later in life.
- Low-dose atropine drops used at bedtime
- MiSight or other myopia control contact lenses designed for children
- Increased outdoor time and reduced prolonged near work when possible
- Regular monitoring to track progression and adjust treatment
We recommend annual comprehensive eye exams for all children, starting in early childhood. If your child wears glasses or contacts, or if we are monitoring a changing prescription, we may want to see them more frequently. Regular exams help us catch changes early and adjust treatment before vision problems affect school performance or daily activities.
Children experiencing rapid prescription changes or undergoing myopia control treatment may need exams every six months. We will let you know the best schedule for your child's specific needs.
While most vision changes in children are gradual and normal, certain symptoms require prompt evaluation. If your child experiences sudden vision loss, sees flashes of light or floating spots, has eye pain, or develops double vision, contact our office right away. These could indicate conditions that need urgent care.
- Sudden decrease in vision in one or both eyes
- Eye pain, redness, or swelling that does not improve quickly
- Flashes of light or a curtain-like shadow in the field of vision
- Double vision that persists
- Injury to the eye from sports, falls, or other accidents
When Your Teenager Can Start Considering LASIK
Most teenagers can begin exploring LASIK as an option once they reach 18 years old and have demonstrated at least one year of prescription stability. Some young adults may need to wait until their early twenties if their eyes are still changing. We can schedule a consultation to evaluate whether your teen is ready or if it would be better to wait a bit longer.
Even if your teenager is eager for LASIK, patience often leads to better outcomes. Waiting until the prescription is truly stable means the results are more likely to last for many years.
When assessing a young adult for LASIK, we look at several important factors beyond just age. Prescription stability is the top priority, but we also evaluate corneal thickness, overall eye health, tear production, and pupil size. We discuss lifestyle factors, expectations, and whether LASIK is truly the best option given the person's specific vision needs.
Your teenager's motivation and understanding of the procedure matter as well. We want to make sure they have realistic expectations and are choosing LASIK for the right reasons, not just because they dislike glasses.
Before any LASIK procedure, we perform detailed measurements of the cornea using advanced mapping technology. We measure corneal thickness, check for irregularities, and create a precise map of the eye's surface. We also verify that the prescription has not changed in at least 12 months by comparing current measurements to previous records.
- Corneal topography to map the surface of the eye
- Pachymetry to measure corneal thickness
- Pupil size measurement in different lighting conditions
- Tear film evaluation to ensure adequate moisture
- Review of at least one year of stable prescription records
We encourage open conversations between parents and teenagers about LASIK timing. If the testing shows your teen is ready, we will discuss what to expect before, during, and after the procedure. If the prescription is still changing or other factors suggest waiting, we explain why postponing surgery will lead to better results.
Many young adults benefit from waiting until after college or until their lifestyle is more settled. There is no rush, and choosing the right timing can make a significant difference in long-term satisfaction with LASIK.
Frequently Asked Questions
LASIK is approved for people 18 and older, but age alone does not determine readiness. Your child also needs at least one full year of a stable prescription, which often does not happen until the late teens or early twenties. Our eye doctor will evaluate both age and prescription stability during a consultation.
PRK and other refractive surgeries have the same basic requirement as LASIK: a stable prescription and fully developed eyes. While the surgical techniques differ slightly, we generally recommend waiting until the same age and stability criteria are met. PRK may be considered in specific cases where someone is not a good LASIK candidate, but timing remains important.
Contact lenses are usually an excellent solution for young athletes who find glasses inconvenient or unsafe during sports. We can fit your child with daily disposable lenses or discuss ortho-k lenses that are worn only at night. Sports goggles with prescription lenses are another option for certain activities where contacts may not be ideal.
Waiting for LASIK does not cause your child's prescription to worsen. Vision changes happen because of natural eye growth, not because of delaying surgery. In fact, waiting until the prescription is stable gives us the best chance to correct the vision accurately and have the results last. If your child has progressive myopia, myopia control treatments can help slow that progression while you wait.
LASIK is typically considered an elective procedure, so most insurance plans do not cover it. In very rare cases where surgery is deemed medically necessary, such as severe anisometropia that cannot be managed any other way, some insurance companies may provide partial coverage. We can help you explore options and provide documentation if your child has an exceptional medical situation.
Yes, LASIK can effectively correct astigmatism along with nearsightedness or farsightedness once your child reaches the appropriate age and has a stable prescription. We treat astigmatism routinely in adult LASIK patients, and the same approach applies to young adults who meet all the candidacy requirements.
Getting Help for LASIK and Your Child
If you have questions about your child's vision or wonder when they might be ready for LASIK, we encourage you to schedule an eye exam or consultation. Our eye doctor will evaluate your child's current prescription, discuss the best vision correction options for their age and lifestyle, and help you plan for the future. We are here to support your family every step of the way as your child's eyes develop and their vision needs change.