What Do You Tell Parents who Ask, “Why Can't my Child Have Refractive Surgery?”

Abstract

The success and popularity of refractive procedures in adults has raised the issue of whether children should also be treated. The social stigma of spectacle wear and widespread difficulties with compliance are sometimes enough reason for parents to explore refractive surgery as an alternative means to improve vision.

There are many unanswered questions regarding pediatric refractive surgery, its complications, and implications on a still developing eye. With the success of traditional methods like glasses and patching, the possibility of refractive surgery in children should be delayed until sufficient scientific data has been collected.

• refractive surgery
• amblyopia
• anisometropia
• LASIK