What is Post-LASIK corneal ectasia?
Post-refractive surgery ectasia is a loss of corneal integrity leading to corneal warpage that often resembles keratoconus. It is more likely to occur following LASIK, radial keratotomy (RK), or astigmatic keratotomy (AK) surgery.
What causes ectasia after LASIK?
Current theories suggest that the two main causes of post-LASIK ectasia are preexisting corneal pathology (keratoconus or forme fruste keratoconus), mechanical instability produced by the weakening of the residual corneal stromal bed induced by the flap creation, the effect of laser ablation, and probably eye rubbing.
How common is ectasia after LASIK?
Ectatic changes can occur as early as 1 week or can be delayed for years after LASIK. The actual incidence of ectasia is undetermined, although the incidence rate of 0.04% to 0.2% to 0.6% has been reported.
Is post-LASIK ectasia progressive?
Post–laser-assisted in situ keratomileusis (LASIK) ectasia is a potential complication of LASIK procedures, and these patients have subsequent progressive corneal thinning and bulging with keratoconus-like topography [1].
Is corneal ectasia serious?
Corneal ectasia is rare, but very severe. It is a complication of corrective surgery procedures to the eye.
What is ectasia in ophthalmology?
Post-LASIK and post-PRK ectasia are characterized by removing too much corneal tissue during the procedure which then creates irregular astigmatism. This happens when the cornea is too thin, causing the tissue to weaken and bulge under normal eye pressure.
Is corneal ectasia the same as keratoconus?
What are ectasia and keratoconus? “Corneal ectasia” refers to a group of non-inflammatory disorders of the eye that involve the bilateral thinning of the cornea. Keratoconus is a specific type of corneal ectasia in which the cornea thins and weakens, leading to bulging and distortion.
How do you prevent corneal ectasia?
Prevention of Corneal Ectasia in Refractive Surgery
- IDENTIFY AT-RISK CORNEAS. Additionally, proper patient selection may minimize the risk of corneal ectasia in patients undergoing refractive procedures.
- IDENTIFYING PATTERNS.
- IRREGULAR PACHYMETRY MAP.
Can you go blind from corneal ectasia?
However, it is important to understand that corneal ectasia is a serious condition that can cause permanent loss of vision if not treated, and may require a corneal transplant. It cannot be corrected with glasses.
How do you treat post ectasia after LASIK?
The most effective way to treat post-surgical ectasia is with gas permeable (GP) scleral lenses. Unlike standard contact lenses, GP lenses are rigid. They maintain their shape on the eye, where soft lenses conform to the surface of the cornea.
Is corneal ectasia treatable?
Treatments. Ectasia can usually be treated. Treatments for ectasia are similar to those used to treat a condition called keratoconus (another distortion of the eye’s shape). Thanks to advancements in technology, some patients with ectasia can now benefit from a procedure called corneal collagen cross-linking (CXL).
What is the difference between ectasia and keratoconus?
What is mild ectasia?
Enlargement of the aorta may be only mild in degree (ectasia). When a weak area of your thoracic aorta expands or bulges, it is called a thoracic aortic aneurysm (TAA). Approximately 25 percent of aortic aneurysms occur in the chest and the rest occur in the abdomen.
Is ectasia same as dilation?
The term “ectasia” refers to diffuse dilation of a coronary artery, while focal coronary dilation is called a “coronary aneurysm.”[1] The definition of coronary artery ectasia is a dilatation exceeding more than one-third of the coronary artery length with the diameter of the dilated segment measuring more than 1.5 …
Is ectasia the same as enlargement?
Coronary artery ectasia is characterized by the enlargement of a coronary artery to 1.5 times or more than its normal diameter.
What is the meaning of ectasia?
Medical Definition of ectasia : the expansion of a hollow or tubular organ.
Can ectasia be reversed?
“Normal corneas don’t have much shape fluctuation due to IOP, but a weak or ectatic cornea can have an increased amount. So, if you lower the IOP, atmospheric pressure pushes back, and it’s possible to reverse the ectasia if treated early enough.”