With our current technology laser eye surgery is only recommended for children when there is a high degree of nearsightedness, known as high myopia.
Can Children Have Laser Eye Surgery?
In these cases, the procedure improves the child’s immediate quality of life. Outside of these rare circumstances, laser eye surgery is not recommended for children.
When Can You Get Lasik?
While you can technically receive iDesign custom Lasik in Orange County at the age of 18, most practitioners recommend that you wait until you’re at least a few years into your 20s.
This delay can be frustrating, but there is a good reason behind it. Your eyes continue to develop throughout your adolescence. The exact shape and refraction will change into your early to mid-20s.
Lasik works best in situations where the eyes have fully matured because it is less likely that the work done by your surgery will be quickly undone by continuing changes.
That is why your eye surgeon will generally wait until your prescription stabilizes to suggest Lasik surgery.
How Does Lasik Work?
Lasik surgery uses laser technology to lend a mechanical precision that human hands could never hope to match. Of course, the machine does not act independently. Your eye surgeon will be using years of training to guide the machine’s actions and give you the best possible results.
Individual experiences will vary, but this is the general process.
Evaluation and Preparation
Prior to clearing your for Lasik, your eye surgeon will carefully examine your eyes to ensure that you’re a good candidate for the procedure. Wavefront-guided technology is one of the most common and reliable tools used for this purpose.
If you wear contacts, then you may have to stick to glasses for a few weeks prior to your evaluation. Talk to your eye surgeon if you’re unsure.
Numbing the Eyes
On the day of your procedure, your healthcare staff will have you lie back in preparation for surgery. You will not be sedated in normal circumstances, but you will receive numbing drops in both eyes.
Placing the Suction Ring
When your eyes are nice and numb, your surgeon will place a suction ring over the eye. This can create a weird sensation that you may not find pleasant, but it is necessary to keep your eyes still.
Creating the Flap
Your surgeon’s first task is to create a hinged flap on the front of your eye. This flap gives your surgeon access to the cornea.
Recontouring the Cornea
The cornea is the transparent layer covering your iris and pupil. It is this part of your eye that will be reshaped to improve your vision.
Using the measurements taken prior to your procedure, your surgeon will have carefully programmed the laser to make precision changes to the cornea.
Infinitesimal amounts of corneal tissue are removed with each pulse until the contour of your cornea fits the necessary parameters.
Closing the Flap
When your cornea has been reshaped according to your surgeon’s instructions, they will gently close the corneal flap. These flaps generally heal on their own, but you will need to follow aftercare procedures to ensure proper healing.
How Long Does Lasik Last?
Assuming that you wait until your eyes have finished developing, there is a good chance that some or all of the effects of Lasik will last a lifetime with some allowances for aging. If you had the surgery at a younger age, then you may need to have it redone as your eyes continue to develop and change.
To learn more about Orange County Lasik and cataract surgery, talk to your local eye surgeon.