What are the age and vision requirements for LASIK surgery on your eyes?

LASIK is approved by the FDA (in various lasers) up to -12 Diopters of myopia (nearsightedness) over the age of 18. It should only be performed in patients with normal corneas and in people without serious dry eye conditions or systemic disease that might create such a condition.

Despite this, the general thinking among most ophthalmic surgeons is that treating over about -8 D. is pushing the limits of long-term safety. Stability in refraction was once considered important (and still is in adults). But a responsible teenager can have LASIK done successfully in the right circumstances.

Written by J. Trevor Woodhams, M.D. - Chief of Surgery, Woodhams Eye Clinic