Intra-ocular Complications of LASIK

Abstract

LASIK is a refractive lamellar surgical procedure that alters the anterior curvature of the cornea by removing stroma from within the cornea, leaving Bowman’s layer and the epithelium virtually intact. The technique involves creating and anterior corneal flap with a microkeratome, ablating the underlying stromal bed with an excimer laser, and replacing the flap. LASIK complications are quite variable and can be classified as: Extra-ocular and Intra-ocular complications. Extra-ocular complications include (corneal flap abnormalities, epithelial ingrowths, corneal ectasia, unexpected refractive outcomes, irregular astigmatism, decantation, visual aberrations, and loss of vision, infectious keratitis, dry eyes, and diffuse lamellar keratitis). Intra-ocular complications include: (A) Effect of LASIK on anterior segment structures; (i) Effect of LASIK on corneal endothelial cells: Experimental studies have revealed endothelial cell damage and loss when deep ablations within 40 μm of Descemet membrane or ablation of 90% of the stromal depth were made with an excimer laser. (ii) Corneal