Crosslinking for ectasia after LASIK
Ectasia after LASIK (post-LASIK ectasia) is a corneal ectasia after laser eye surgery – comparable to keratoconus caused by laser eye surgery.
Corneal tissue is removed during the laser eye surgery.
If the cornea is intact, no complications are to be expected.
However, if the cornea is affected by previous illnesses or hormonal fluctuations, ectasia may occur.
Removing too large an area of the cornea can also lead to corneal ectasia.
Those affected by ectasia after LASIK experience symptoms similar to those of keratoconus.
Ectasia after LASIK does not necessarily occur immediately after the operation – it can take months or years for the ectasia to become noticeable.
Treatment of ectasia after LASIK
The progression of keratoconus stagnates with age – ectasia after LASIK, on the other hand, continues to progress.
It is therefore all the more important that ectasia is recognized and treated quickly.
Whereas in the past a corneal transplant was the only treatment, ectasia after LASIK can now be treated using CXL.
CXL stops the progression of ectasia.
The earlier the treatment is initiated, the more vision can be preserved.
Preventing ectasia after LASIK
The risk of ectasia after LASIK can be reduced by taking a few precautions:
- Insist on a thorough preliminary examination before laser eye surgery
- Recommended follow-up examinations after laser eye surgery
- Consult a specialist in the event of post-operative complaints
