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Is Laser Eye Surgery An Option For My Teenager?

Laser Eye Surgery for teenagers, London Vision Clinic

It is a fact. Today, there are more short-sighted teenagers than ever before. In the US in particular, the prevalence of shortsightedness—or ‘myopia’—has grown from 25% to 40% over just the last 30 years.

Both genetic and environmental factors have played their role in its rise, but that’s not to say all hope is lost: Of those who suffer from short-sightedness early in their school years, the majority tend to acquire stable vision later in life.

In some cases however, short-sightedness can progress after leaving school, and it is therefore important to know and understand the various treatment options that are available to you.

Laser Vision Correction For Teenagers

The short answer is that, if you are under the age of 18, it is unlikely you will be eligible for Laser Eye Surgery.

It is rare for refractive errors to stabilise before adulthood, and typically those under the age of 18 do not yet have a stable enough prescription in order to undergo Laser Eye Surgery.

As an example, if you consider Laser Eye Surgery as an invisible (and much more effective) pair of glasses, you can see how it improves your vision without actually altering your eyes. As your eyes are a living organ which continue to develop until your early 20s, having Laser Eye Surgery in your teens can thus be equated to being handed one pair of prescription glasses to wear for the rest of your life, when in reality you may need to visit the optometrist a few more times for new pairs.

For these reasons, Laser Eye Surgery is only performed on those who have reached the age of 18, and even then it often makes sense to wait a little while longer.

It is possible that the condition stabilises earlier and you are a suitable candidate for Laser Eye Surgery on your 18th birthday; the only way to really know is by having a consultation with a specialist eye care consultant.

Here at London Vision Clinic, anyone over the age of 18 is eligible to come in for a chat and find out the current condition of their eye health. Our consultants quickly establish if—or when—you will be suitable for surgery by analysing the thickness and shape of the cornea, identifying any underlying diseases, and going through your previous prescriptions.

If you would like to book a consultation at London Vision Clinic, or find out more information on having Laser Eye Surgery in your teens, leave us a comment or give us a call us on 020 7224 1005.