LASIK: Q&A

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I Have A Thin Cornea, and Diagnosed With Ankylosing Spondylitis. Lasik/PRK or Problems to Be Aware Of?

I have been advised that I have a thin cornea size of 478 microns. A few years ago, I was diagnosed with ankylosing spondylitis. My contact lens prescription is -6.00. Would you recommend any laser corrective surgery such as Lasik or PRK? Also do I need to be aware of any other eye care issues?

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cornea recommendation risk thin
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3 Doctor Answers | Asked by exbray
+1

PRK or LASIK for thin corneas

You can't get LASIK if you have thin corneas you can only get a surface ablation which doesn't cut a flap so is safer for thin corneas the old method of this was PRK, which i stopped performing in 1999 the new method is called Advanced Surface Ablation, or ASA this means LASEK or epiLASEK i really think that in 2012 you should go with LASEK or epi, not PRK (which is so 90s) you can learn more about all of this on my website since i am one of the few surgeons in the... more
+1

PRK in thin corneas

Your prescription is more amenable to a PRK procedure due to the corneal thickness. However there are several other tests that you need to fully answer the question of whether or not you are a candidate. The anklyosing spondylitis is not an absolute contra-indication to having the procedure, and many patients with that diagnosis have gone on to have extremely successful procedures. That in and of itself is not a reason not to proceed, however Ankylosing Spondylitis can be... more
+1

Refractive surgery and thin corneas

In order to have a safe refractive procedure, it is essential that the laser correction not go below a certain depth in the cornea. With a -6.00 prescription and a 478 micron cornea, PRK would be the best option. When you add in a diagnosis of Ankylosing Spondylitis, only an experienced refractive surgeon can make that determination after a careful preoperative evaluation.

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These answers are for educational purposes and should not be relied upon as a substitute for medical advice you may receive from your physician. If you have a medical emergency, please call 911. These answers do not constitute or initiate a patient/doctor relationship.

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