Authors' recommendations: In summary, although results are promising, evidence is limited for the use of laser refractive surgery in children and no evidence-based guidelines were identified. Several clinical effectiveness, safety, and logistic issues need to be addressed. More research is needed to compare the risks and benefits of the different laser surgery techniques in the pediatric population. The long-term requirement for repeat surgery due to refractive regression needs to be examined. Although promising results were achieved for a wide age range of patients, the earliest age to use laser refractive surgery for optimal amblyopia management has not yet been established. Some authors recommend treating children during the neuroplastic years (before the age of 7 years), when the possibility of reversing the amblyopia is greatest. However, uncertainty remains concerning the age at which treatment of amblyopia or its risk factors is most effective. The need for general anesthesia also presents several issues. Inhalational anesthetic agents can affect the function of the laser. The inability of the patient to keep the eyes centered during surgery may affect the accuracy of the results. Finally, many outpatient surgery centers where laser treatments are performed do not fulfill the requirements necessary for general anesthesia administration.

Project Status: Completed

URL for project: http://www.cadth.ca/media/pdf/L0165_Laser_Surgery_in_Children_final.pdf

Year Published: 2010

English language abstract: An English language summary is available

Publication Type: Not Assigned

Country: Canada

Organisation Name: Canadian Agency for Drugs and Technologies in Health

Contact Address: 600-865 Carling Avenue, Ottawa, ON K1S 5S8 Canada. Tel: +1 613 226 2553; Fax: +1 613 226 5392;

Contact Name: requests@cadth.ca

Contact Email: requests@cadth.ca

Copyright: Canadian Agency for Drugs and Technologies in Health (CADTH)