Lasik in 2000 followed by Ectasia and Hydrops

 

The photos below are of the same eye taken 4 years apart. This eye underwent LASIK surgery in 2000. About 5 years later this eye developed post-LASIK corneal ectasia. In the lower left profile photo notice the protrusion or "bulging" of the cornea. This photo was taken about 6 years ago.



The lower right photo is of the same eye taken 2 years ago. On this eye you can see a scleral lens. The cloudy area just below the pupil is due to a condition known as "hydrops". This condition is due to the most posterior corneal membrane (Descemets membrane) rupturing. When the intra ocular pressure against the weakened cornea is too great for the post-LASIK cornea to endure, this membrane will rupture allowing fluid from within the eye (the aqueous) to enter the center of the cornea. While there is no pain associated with this condition, vision can be severely compromised. The scleral lens is the only non-invasive technology that will allow this eye to provide functional vision. If the central area of the cornea becomes clouded obscuring vision, corneal transplant surgery will be the only option that will allow the eye to see clearly once again.