title: Refractive surgery in children.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate recent literature regarding indications and outcomes for refractive surgery in children, including laser in-situ keratomileusis, laser epithelial keratomileusis, photorefractive keratectomy, and refractive intraocular lens placement.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Refractive surgery in children is controversial. Recent publications have reported refractive surgery to treat strabismus and both ametropic and anisometropic amblyopia. Questions remain as to the age at which to perform the surgery, and which specific procedure to perform. Choice of technique depends on the clinical situation.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Refractive surgery is an option for children with amblyopia and strabismus who fail treatment with spectacles or contact lenses. Prospective controlled studies are needed, and longer follow-up will answer questions about the utility and safety of refractive surgery in children.
authors.affiliation: Wills Eye Institute, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19107, USA.
authors.forename: Christopher M
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: Fecarotta
authors.forename: Marie
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: Barry N
authors.initials: BN
authors.lastname: Wasserman
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000550:Amblyopia / Q000601:surgery*; D015858:Anisometropia / Q000601:surgery*; D002648:Child; D006801:Humans; D049008:Keratectomy, Subepithelial, Laser-Assisted; D020731:Keratomileusis, Laser In Situ; D019654:Lens Implantation, Intraocular; D018903:Photorefractive Keratectomy; D054140:Refractive Surgical Procedures; D013285:Strabismus / Q000601:surgery*