When most people think of eye surgery they are likely picturing someone having their cornea reshaped to correct a vision issue. But eye surgery can also be used to improve the way your child sees — usually referred to as pediatric vision correction or vision therapy. Most commonly this is done with a procedure called pediatric corrective LASIK. If your child is experiencing problems seeing clearly because their eyesight has not fully developed, then corrective LASIK can help improve their vision so that it is more in line with their age group. The potential benefits of corrective LASIK are that it can be done as an outpatient procedure with little to no recovery time and the results can be long-lasting. The risks of corrective LASIK are low, but there are a few things you should know before considering this option for your child.

What is LASIK?

LASIK stands for laser-assisted in-situ keratomileusis, where "laser" refers to a laser used in eye surgery, "in-situ" refers to an operation that takes place in the live eye and "keratome" refers to a blade used to make incisions in the cornea. LASIK is a refractive surgery that is used to correct the shape of your cornea to improve your eyesight. The cornea is the clear covering on the front of your eye that refracts light like a lens. When the cornea is misaligned, it can cause your eyesight to be blurry. When you have LASIK, your ophthalmologist uses a laser to reshape the cornea while you are under general anesthesia in the operating room. Once this is done, it is hoped that your vision will improve.

Why does corrective LASIK improve vision in young people?

Most people's vision is 20/20, but not everyone is lucky enough to have perfect eyesight. Some people have vision issues that do not go away, even if they wear corrective lenses to improve their eyesight. These people may be farsighted or nearsighted, or may have something called astigmatism. Farsighted people are unable to focus on things that are close to them, such as books or reading materials, because their eyes cannot bend light correctly. Nearsighted people see things that are far away, but struggle to see things that are close to them. Astigmatism refers to a condition where the cornea is not evenly curved and light is focused in two different areas of the eye.Corrective LASIK can be used to improve a child's vision by adjusting the shape of the cornea to correct for any issues that are affecting their eyesight.

Are there any other reasons to correct a child's vision?

Children often outgrow their frames and need to replace them. If a child has been wearing the same frames since they were a baby, it can be difficult to find new ones that are the right size. If a child has already outgrown their frames, it may be easier to find new ones if their vision is already correct. If your child has been wearing corrective lenses, it can be helpful to know what their prescription is and how this can help you find the right frames. If you know your child's corrective prescription, you can also use it to find the right lenses when they get older.

Is corrective LASIK right for your child?

This will depend on your child's age, and whether they are still growing and developing. The ideal age for corrective LASIK is around 14 to 16 years old. Before the age of 14, the cornea is still growing and may not be fully developed. If your child is younger than 14, the results of the surgery may not last as long, and they may need to go through the procedure again as they age. Children who are still growing have the potential to change the shape of their cornea. This can make the results of the surgery less effective.

Are there any other considerations when deciding if corrective LASIK is right for your child?

It is important to understand that LASIK cannot fix problems that are not related to the cornea. If your child has other vision issues such as cataracts or macular degeneration, these issues will not be treated with corrective LASIK. This is because the cornea is the only part of the eye that LASIK can work on. If your child has other vision issues, other treatments may be more suitable.

Is Lasik safe for children?

Corrective LASIK is a very safe procedure when performed by a qualified surgeon. It can be performed on children as young as 14 years of age. There are, however, some considerations when it comes to the safety of LASIK for children. First, there is a higher chance that the procedure will not be successful because the cornea is still growing and changing. This means that there is a higher chance that the results of the surgery will not be what the surgeon had hoped for. The other considerations are that children are more likely to require general anaesthesia, and there is a higher chance of complications such as infections or corneal scarring.

Is corrective LASIK right for children with reading difficulties?

Children who struggle to read may be able to improve their ability to read by undergoing corrective LASIK. This is because one of the main reasons for needing LASIK is that the cornea is not in the correct position for reading. This can cause the image to be out of focus, causing the child to struggle to read. If a child's eyesight is already correct, it will not be treated with corrective LASIK. If your child is struggling to read, it is important to make sure that their eyesight is correct and that LASIK is the right option for them.

Is corrective LASIK right for children with vision issues?

Corrective LASIK can be performed on children who have a vision issue that they cannot fully correct with glasses or contacts. If your child has a vision issue but is over the age of 14, they may not be eligible for corrective LASIK. It is important to understand that LASIK can be used to improve a child's eyesight as well as correct it. If your child has a vision issue that is affecting their everyday life, it can help to understand what their corrective prescription is. If your child has a vision issue, it can help to understand what their corrective prescription is and how this can help you find the right frames.

Final words

Corrective LASIK is a safe and effective procedure that can be performed on children as young as 14 years of age. It is important to understand that LASIK cannot correct issues that are not related to the cornea, such as cataracts or macular degeneration. If your child has other vision issues, other treatments may