Corneal Ectasia Corneal ectasia is a disorder that appears just like keratoconus but develops after LASIK. It is also called secondary keratoconus oriatrogenic keratoconus. It is very rare, and its causes are uncertain. Some patients who develop ectasia after LASIK would have developed keratoconus even without LASIK surgery because of their genetic predisposition. Other patients develop it because… Read the full article
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Risks and Complications with LASIK (Pt. 7)
Diffuse Lamellar Keratitis This condition, diffuse lamellar keratitis (DLK)- also known as “sands of the Sahara” syndrome- is an inflammation that occurs in the space between the corneal flap and the underlying stroma. This relatively rare condition is typically observed by the doctor the day after surgery. You may have no symptoms, or you may notice some haziness… Read the full article
Risks and Complications with LASIK (Pt. 6)
Striae Sometimes the corneal flap may shift slightly in the first 12 hours after LASIK surgery. This is why it is important, especially during the first few hours, not to rub your eyes and keep them well lubricated. If the flap shifts slightly, wrinkles form, just as wrinkles form in a carpet if you step… Read the full article
Risks and Complications with LASIK (Pt. 5)
Problems with Quality of Vision A small number of patients experience a slight loss of quality of vision after LASIK surgery. This is also called loss of best-corrected vision. Loss of best-corrected vision means that, even with eyeglasses, a patient loses some of the visual crispness and clarity he had when wearing eyeglasses prior to surgery. The… Read the full article
Risks and Complications with LASIK (Pt. 4)
Night Glare and Halos All people, whether or not they have had LASIK, experience some glare or halos at night. These night-vision disturbances occur when you are in a dark environment and look at a small bright light, such as a headlight or streetlight. Halo is the glow that surrounds the light source, and glare is little spikes of… Read the full article
Risks and Complications with LASIK (Pt. 3)
Corneal Abrasion Approximately 1 to 5 percent of LASIK patients develop a smallcorneal abrasion, or scrape, caused by friction of the microkeratome. The eye is covered by a thin layer of skin, called the epithelium. This skin is just like the skin on your hand except that it is clear so you can see through… Read the full article
Risks and Complications with LASIK (Pt. 2)
Overcorrection Overcorrection results when the refractive error is changed more than was intended. An initial, or temporary, overcorrection may occur and usually rights itself in the first month. After a treatment for farsightedness, an overcorrection would make you temporarily nearsighted. In this case, your distance vision would be somewhat blurred and your near vision rather good…. Read the full article
Risks and Complications with LASIK (Pt. 1)
Just as all surgical procedures carry risks, so does the LASIK procedure. However, when LASIK is performed by an experienced surgeon, the risk of complications is quite low. In fact, this surgery is among the safest performed today. Still, it’s important to understand the risks and possible complications. Once you understand them, you will be able… Read the full article
After Your Lasik Procedure (Final Pt.)
Most patients are genuinely surprised by how quickly their vision improves after LASIK. Although the corneal flap adheres quickly, your eyesight will continue to improve until it finally reaches a point at which it becomes stable. The time it takes to establish visual stability after LASIK varies for each patient. For some, stability can be achieved… Read the full article
Boston Magazine’s Top LASIK surgeon/ Ophthalmologist
Dr. Ernest W. Kornmehl, M.D.,F.A.C.S. is selected as a Top Laser Surgeon and Laser Center in Boston Magazine’s Top Doctors issue 2015.