Age Group: Teens to 20's 

I am frequently asked to evaluate young teens to determine when they might be candidates for Laser Vision Correction(LASIK or PRK). Competetive athletics and active lifestyles have had these youngsters in contact lenses from a young age (often 10 or 12) with all of the commensurate risks that come with them. Frequent infections from contact lenses can often lead to increased difficulty wearing them, not to mention the elevated risks. Similarly, this age group is extremely trustful of the latest technology and understands that the younger they have a procedure done the longer they will get the benefit and enjoyment of it. In addition, they also realize the greatest cost benefit as they look at the one time expense of Laser Vision Correction (LVC) versus the expense of a lifetime of glasses and contact lenses.

Obviously, the greatest issue in this group is determining when the vision is developed and stable enough to undergo LVC. I would recommend a comprehensive eye examination in the teen years and we will be able to predict eligibility. Procedures most likely performed on this age group of patients are LASIK, PRK or Phakic IOL.