Q: My eyesight is -6.00 and I am only 16. Would I be able to get laser surgery when I am older?
A: There are many options for vision correction surgery.
Lasik is the most popular and well known form of vision correction surgery. It has the advantage of quick vision recovery and virtually no pain. People with higher prescriptions can have Lasik, but may need a second enhancement surgery to fine tune the correction.
If your vision is too bad for Lasik to safely correct, then you may be a candidate for phakic intraocular lenses (P-IOL). These are tiny “helper” lenses placed inside the eye just in front or immediately behind the iris (colored portion of the eye). P-IOLs are approved in the US to correct up to 15.00 diopters of myopia (nearsighted, shortsighted) vision.
You need to be 18 or older to have these types of surgery, but what is more important is that your vision is stable. That usually means two consecutive years with less than 0.25 diopters of change. When you vision is mature and stable, have a comprehensive examination from a competent surgeon and explore what options may be best for your eyes.