Complications of refractive surgery: Ectasia after refractive surgery

• Authors: James Randleman, Emory University; Meraf A. Wolle, University of Michigan; Maria A. Woodward, University of Michigan
• Journal Title: International Ophthalmology Clinics
• Volume: Volume 56, Number 2
• Publisher: International Ophthalmology Clinics | 2016-03-04, Pages 127-139
• Type of Work: Article | Post-print: After Peer Review
• Publisher DOI: http://doi.org/10.1097/IIO.0000000000000102
• Subjects: Health Sciences, Opthamology
• Keywords: Corneal Diseases; Dilatation, Pathologic; Humans; Keratomileusis, Laser In Situ; Postoperative Complications; Risk Factors

Abstract

Corneal ectasia is one of the rare yet potentially devastating complications encountered after refractive surgery including laser in situ keratomileusis (LASIK) and photorefractive keratectomy (PRK). This complication affects the primary desired outcome of LASIK, excellent uncorrected distance visual acuity (UDVA). Ectasia after refractive surgery is a progressive increase in myopia, with or without increasing astigmatism, with keratometric steepening of the cornea and topographic asymmetric inferior corneal steepening. Over time there can be associated thinning of the central and paracentral ectatic cornea. It comes to clinical attention when there is associated loss of UDVA, which is usually accompanied with loss of best corrected distance visual acuity (CDVA).(1, 2).