What Are the Dangers of Lasik & Keratoconus?
LASIK surgery is the most commonly used form of laser eye surgery to correct vision deficiencies. The keratoconus condition causes a vision deficiency, but should not be treated by LASIK surgery.
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Keratoconus
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Keratoconus is an eye condition of a significantly thin (and thinning) cornea, the clear front window of the eye, responsible for focus. Rather than remaining round, as in a normal cornea, it distorts to a cone-shape, which causes substantial visual impairment.
Signs and Symptoms
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Keratoconus is a progressive condition, worsening over time. Blurred vision, similar to nearsightedness or astigmatism, is the common sign. As the cornea thins, increasingly stronger eyeglass prescriptions are required. Images appear multiplied.
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LASIK Functions
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LASIK laser eye surgery involves reshaping and sometimes removing tissue of the cornea to improve the vision of those who are nearsighted, farsighted or have astigmatism.
Cornea Danger
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LASIK is not recommended for keratoconus because the procedure could further weaken the cornea. The keratoconus condition causes an increasingly weak cornea. LASIK adjusts the cornea tissue, which is too great of a risk of severe vision deficiency or loss.
Permanent Results
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Not only is LASIK too high risk for the keratoconus cornea, but it also creates results that cannot be undone. All results of LASIK eye surgery are permanent and cannot be reversed or revised by another type of eye treatment.
Alternative Treatments
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In the early stages of keratoconus, glasses or contacts may be worn to correct vision. As the conditions worsens, a corneal transplant may be required.
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References
- Colour-Blindness.com: "Keratoconus Treatment, Surgery, Contacts, Symptoms"
- Help Keratoconus of Turner Eye Institute Medical Group, Inc. of San Francisco Bay Area: "LASIK Keratoconus"
- USAEyes.org of Council for Refractive Surgery Quality Assurance: "Keratoconus and Lasik, All-Laser Lasik, PRK, LASEK,etc." 2009
