Can LASIK eye surgery fix keratoconus?
In a word...No.
Keratoconus is one of the eye conditions that must be ruled out
before LASIK can be safely done. The reason is because keratoconus is itself a
weakness of corneal tissue that can cause nearsightedness (myopia) and
astigmatism. If you try to thin and alter the cornea with LASIK to correct this
myopia/astigmatism, you will actually be further weakening a vulnerable cornea.
This can then cause vision problems either soon or even much later than the
time at which the LASIK was performed. A severe problem could
even require a corneal transplant to fix, certainly not more LASIK!
Written by J. Trevor Woodhams, M.D. - Chief of Surgery, Woodhams Eye Clinic
