Evaluation of the risk of corneal ectasia

Abstract

Objective: LASIK is associated with a severe complication known as corneal ectasia. A direct evaluation of the biomechanical corneal property may be performed to select patients for excimer laser surgery. Methods:Detection of the biomechanical corneal properties was performed using a specific device known to produce short intraocular pressure elevation (IOP) at approximately 20 mm Hg. The cornea topographic method was performed twice: before and during IOP loading. Results:The patient, a 26-year-old female with myopia of both eyes, requested surgical correction of her myopia. IOP loading had caused extension and deformation of the cornea shape of both eyes. Normal eyes retain their shape under such conditions.We classified the biomechanical properties of both corneas as very weak and recommended the patient refrain from refractive surgery.Conclusions: Direct evaluation of the corneal biomechanical properties revealed potential in the selection of patients for excimer laser surgery.

A temporary corneal ectasia following airbag trauma

“…In fact, this is a potential area of development, with some clinical applications in ophthalmology including in glaucoma, 16 myopic eyes, 17 after sclera buckling, 18 after crosslinking, 19 , 20 in patients with different degrees of keratoconus 21 and even in evaluation of the risk of corneal ectasia. 22 If this evaluation would have been made in our clinical case before airbag trauma, it could have been useful to evaluate the risk of corneal ectasia. If biomechanical evaluation would have been made after airbag trauma, this could provide values of corneal hysteresis and corneal resistance factor which predict the possibility of recovery.…”