LASIK Age Restrictions

LASIK surgery is not suitable for any person younger than 18 years of age and while some unscrupulous practitioners may overlook these LASIK restrictions, the onus is on the parent or caregiver to disallow indemnity for the LASIK procedure in teens. Sadly enough there have been cases reported where parents have allowed their teenage children to undergo LASIK procedures while holidaying in developing countries where the LASIK restrictions are not as thoroughly enforced. The long term effects of teen LASIK procedures are yet to be determined but undoubtedly, there will be repercussions for interfering with the developing eye at such a young age.

LASIK in Teens

The obsession with being spectacle free means that young person with glasses are often ridiculed for their corrective eyewear. Young girls with glasses often suffer with lower self esteem and due to insecurities about themselves, may risk their vision by undergoing LASIK at such a young age. The FDA (Food and Drug Administration) has set the LASIK age restriction at 18 years for a specific reason and attempting to bypass these criteria is an offence both on the part of the attending LASIK doctor as well as the LASIK patient. In the case of a minor, the parents are held liable if they provided consent for this procedure to be undertaken by a teen and can face prosecution in this regard.

Contact Lens, Not LASIK for Teens

While teenage boys may be able to carry off glasses with little ridicule, it is often the teen girls with glasses that bear the brunt of mockery and even bullying. While these reasons can never justifyi breaking the law and performing a LASIK procedure on a teen, other possible routes should be considered. Contact lenses are usually the better choice and with different colored lens, it can even be a fashion statement. Alternatively, coming to terms with your glasses will allow you to be more secure about your appearance and not feel pressure from classmates. The intelligent woman, with thin rimmed metal glasses, and chic business suit, is the popular image of today and many teen boys find girls with glasses more appealing.

Opting for LASIK is a decision that should be made carefully, when your case fits the criteria for a LASIK procedure without having to break the law and you have weighed out the pros and cons of LASIK. A teen LASIK procedure is risky and may lead to a bad LASIK experience resulting in permanent damage to your eyesight. Rather wait till you reach the approved age for LASIK and follow the proper route for corrective eye surgery. Rushing to cheap LASIK clinics, where the doctor may not place more importance on your money than your health, can have devastating consequences.