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Management of Post-LASIK Ectasia
Maja Bohac1, Alma Biscevic1,2, Melisa Ahmedbegovic-Pjano2
1University Eye Hospital Svjetlost, School of Medicine University of Rijeka, Zagreb, Croatia.
Materia Socio-Medica
|April 25, 2023
Summary
Corneal ectasia after LASIK can be treated effectively with collagen crosslinking (CXL), often combined with other procedures. This management strategy helps restore visual acuity and stabilize the cornea, preventing further vision loss.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Corneal Surgery
- Vision Science
Background:
- Corneal ectasia is a serious complication of refractive surgery, leading to progressive corneal steepening and thinning.
- It results in a significant loss of best-corrected visual acuity.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the clinical outcomes of treating post-LASIK (laser in situ keratomileusis) induced corneal ectasia.
- To assess the efficacy of collagen crosslinking (CXL) and combined surgical approaches.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective case series of 7 patients (10 eyes) with post-LASIK ectasia.
- Treatment involved collagen crosslinking (CXL) alone or combined with PRK or phakic intraocular implants.
- Patients presented with signs such as forme fruste keratoconus, thin cornea, or posterior elevation.
Main Results:
- Postoperative corrected visual acuity (CDVA) significantly improved from 0.75 to 0.86 Snellen (p=0.04).
- Most eyes regained visual acuity, with only one eye experiencing a loss of three lines.
- All treated cases demonstrated stability during the follow-up period.
Conclusions:
- Corneal ectasia management requires an approach tailored to the disease's progression.
- While a devastating complication, most patients regain functional vision with appropriate treatment.
- Corneal transplantation is rarely necessary for post-LASIK ectasia.
