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

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