Research Demonstrates Safety and Efficacy of Laser Eye Surgery for Teenagers

A recent comprehensive study has revealed that laser eye surgery is not only safe but also effective for older teenagers suffering from short-sightedness, commonly known as myopia. This finding was presented at the 43rd Congress of the European Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgeons (ESCRS).

Myopia affects approximately one-third of children and adolescents, with increasing prevalence in recent years. Photorefractive keratectomy (PRK), a laser treatment for myopia, is typically administered to adults, yet its application in teenagers has raised some concerns among medical professionals.

Dr. Avinoam Shye from the Department of Ophthalmology at Rambam Health Care Campus in Haifa, Israel, led the study. He noted that some healthcare providers express apprehension regarding the ongoing development of teenagers' eyes and their potential varied responses to the healing process post-treatment, which could heighten the risk of complications. However, many teenagers aged 17 and 18 seek lasting solutions for their vision issues.

To investigate the safety and effectiveness of PRK in this age group, the research team analyzed data from 65,211 eyes treated at Care-Vision Laser Centers in Tel Aviv, Israel, between January 2010 and June 2024. The participants were categorized by age, allowing for a comparative analysis between those aged 17 to 18 and those aged 19 to 40.

The results indicated that the visual outcomes for older teenagers were on par with, or even superior to, those of adult patients. Approximately 64% of the teenagers achieved 20/20 vision, compared to 59% of adults. Furthermore, the incidence of patients requiring additional treatment was remarkably low, at just 0.41% in both age groups. Complications, including blurry vision or corneal weakening, were also infrequent in both cohorts.

Dr. Shye emphasized that this study represents the most extensive investigation into PRK for teenagers to date, providing a reliable basis for the findings. While it is acknowledged that the study is retrospective and based on previously collected data, the implications suggest that well-screened teenagers with stable myopia may consider PRK as a viable option, especially in cases where traditional corrective lenses are less suitable.

Ongoing monitoring of the teenage participants who underwent laser treatment is planned to track any potential late-onset complications or changes in vision. Professor Thomas Kohnen, who serves as Chair of the ESCRS Publication Committee and is the Director of the Department of Ophthalmology at Goethe University Frankfurt in Germany, commented on the significance of this study. He highlighted that myopia is increasingly prevalent among children and adolescents, and it can continue to progress until the age of 30. While glasses and contact lenses are the standard treatment for younger patients, the findings from this large-scale study suggest that laser surgery could emerge as a practical alternative for select teenagers.