Corneal ectasia induced by laser in situ keratomileusis.
OBJECTIVE
To identify factors that can lead to corneal ectasia after laser in situ keratomileusis (LASIK).


METHODS
University refractive surgery center.


METHODS
In this retrospective study, the charts of all patients (2873 eyes) who had LASIK between May 1995 and November 1999 were reviewed. Fourteen patients (19 eyes, 0.66%) developed post-LASIK ectasia. The mean follow-up was 16.32 months (range 6 to 42 months).


RESULTS
No patient with an attempted correction less than 8.00 diopters or a residual corneal bed thickness greater than 325 microm experienced post-LASIK ectasia. There was a statistically significant positive correlation between corneal residual bed thickness and increasing patient age.


CONCLUSIONS
Despite the limitations of the small sample size, the study's results suggest that parameters besides residual corneal bed thickness (eg, age, attempted correction) may have to be considered to avoid post-LASIK ectasia.
Pallikaris
I G
IG
Department of Ophthalmology, Vardinoyannion Eye Institute of Crete, University of Crete, Heraklio, Greece.
Kymionis
G D
GD
Astyrakakis
N I
NI
D000328:Adult; D003315:Cornea / Q000473:pathology*; D003316:Corneal Diseases / Q000209:etiology*; D019781:Corneal Topography; D004108:Dilatation, Pathologic / Q000209:etiology; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D020731:Keratomileusis, Laser In Situ / Q000009:adverse effects*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D014792:Visual Acuity