My Corneal thickness is 486 and 484 microns and my power is -3 in right and -3.25 in left. Am i a suitable candidate for LASIK?

Question

I am a contact lens user.

Richard Strecker, MD · Answer

You may be a candidate for PRK, but not LASIK. PRK is performed on top of the cornea without creating a flap and doesn't require the cornea to be as thick as it needs to be to perform LASIK. I would also recommend that you get a Pentacam to get an overall view of your cornea, front and back.

Brian Davis, MD · Answer

Each surgeon has their own parameters with respect to recommendations on Refractive surgery and corneal thickness. Most surgeons require at least 250 micrometers of residual corneal tissue beneath the flap at the end of the surgery. This is because there is a risk of the cornea bulging if the cornea becomes too thin. Bulging is bad because it causes blurred vision that sometimes is difficult to correct even with glasses and contacts and could require the cornea to be transplanted. With your level of prescription and corneal thinness I would recommend PRK (Photorefractive Keratectomy) instead of Lasik assuming your corneas were normal otherwise. This allows some tissue to be available for an enhancement or second surgery in the rare instance that becomes necessary.

Joseph Dello Russo, MD · Answer

There are many factors that help to determine whether you may qualify for laser surgery. Corneal thickness is only one. I would say that if the rest of your measurements are within normal, most surgeons would only suggest PRK. Not LASIK. Good luck.

Stuart Lewis, MD · Answer

LASIK is probably not your best choice with corneas that are that thin.  Having said that, getting a Pentacam scan to evaluate the progression of corneal thickness from the center to the periphery might put you in the running for a PRK procedure.  I would not proceed with any refractive procedure without that scan.

My Corneal thickness is 486 and 484 microns and my power is -3 in right and -3.25 in left. Am i a suitable candidate for LASIK?

Answers (4)

Answer: LASIK in a patient with thin corneas

Answer: LASIK in a patient with thin corneas

Recommended reading

Everything you need to know about LASIK

Our mission is to create a world where every investment in modern beauty is Worth It.

My Corneal thickness is 486 and 484 microns and my power is -3 in right and -3.25 in left. Am i a suitable candidate for LASIK?

Answers (4)

Answer: LASIK in a patient with thin corneas

Answer: LASIK in a patient with thin corneas

Browse related questions

Recommended reading

Everything you need to know about LASIK

Our mission is to create a world where every investment in modern beauty is Worth It.