title: Laser in situ keratomileusis in patients with autoimmune diseases.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the safety of laser in situ keratomileusis (LASIK) in patients with autoimmune diseases.
  
  
  METHODS
  Private clinical practice.
  
  
  METHODS
  In this retrospective case series, the records of patients who had LASIK at the Maloney Vision Institute between June 1, 1998, and October 1, 2004, were reviewed for a history of autoimmune disease including systemic lupus erythematosus, rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, scleroderma, inflammatory bowel disease, Graves' disease, Reiter's syndrome, and Hashimoto's disease. The records were reviewed for corneal and scleral complications of autoimmune disease after LASIK.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Forty-nine eyes of 26 patients with inactive or stable autoimmune disease were identified. No eye developed corneal thinning, melting, persistent epithelial defect, persistent keratitis, scleral thinning, scleritis, or scleromalacia.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Laser in situ keratomileusis may be a reasonable option in patients with well-controlled or inactive autoimmune disease.
authors.affiliation: Maloney Vision Institute, Los Angeles, California 90024, USA.
authors.forename: Ronald J
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: Smith
authors.forename: Robert K
authors.initials: RK
authors.lastname: Maloney
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001327:Autoimmune Diseases / Q000150:complications*; D003315:Cornea / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D020731:Keratomileusis, Laser In Situ; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009216:Myopia / Q000601:surgery*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D014945:Wound Healing