title: Ectasia after laser in situ keratomileusis.
abstract: Eighty-five cases of post laser in situ keratomileusis ectasia were reviewed and analyzed. Cases of keratoconus or forme fruste keratoconus were eliminated; many remaining case reports lacked key information. The current literature is unable to define a specific residual corneal thickness or a range of preoperative corneal thickness that would put an eye at risk for developing ectasia. The most logical cause for eyes without preexisting pathology to develop ectasia is a postablation stromal thickness that is mechanically unstable; this "minimal" thickness is probably specific to each eye. The preoperative and postoperative corneal thickness, measured flap thickness, and microkeratome and laser parameters used in a given case are required to determine the range of residual corneal thickness that puts the eye at risk for developing ectasia. Other as yet undetermined factors may play a role in the development of this complication.
authors.affiliation: Gordon Binder Vision Institute, San Diego, CA 92112, USA. garrett23@aol.com
authors.forename: Perry S
authors.initials: PS
authors.lastname: Binder
mesh_terms: D003315:Cornea / Q000473:pathology*; D003316:Corneal Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology*; D004108:Dilatation, Pathologic / Q000209:etiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D020731:Keratomileusis, Laser In Situ / Q000009:adverse effects*; D008297:Male; D012307:Risk Factors; D013524:Surgical Flaps / Q000473:pathology