ClearSight LASIK Explains the Connection Between Cornea Thickness and LASIK Outcomes

Oklahoma City, Oklahoma -

ClearSight, a vision correction clinic based in Oklahoma City, OK, has recently published a blog post titled, “How Does Cornea Thickness Affect the Outcome of LASIK?” The article points out that the corneal thickness of a patient can significantly affect the results of LASIK surgery. Thus, although most people are candidates for LASIK, not everyone will be able to qualify for LASIK because of the corneal thickness requirements. The article also discusses other options for vision correction for patients whose corneas are too thin for the procedure.

Laser assisted in situ keratomileusis (LASIK) is the most popular vision correction procedure in the US as it can be used to correct far-sightedness (hyperopia), nearsightedness (myopia), and astigmatism (an irregular shape of the eye). It provides an excellent alternative to eyeglasses or contact lenses for a lot of people. In this procedure, the vision correction surgeon employs advanced laser technology to reshape the cornea to correct the patient’s vision. In order to perform LASIK safely, the thickness of the cornea is vital in LASIK. This is because a tiny corneal flap has to be made using a femtosecond laser to enable the use of an excimer laser to reshape the cornea. It is this modified shape of the cornea that allows for better image focusing onto the retina. During the procedure, a small amount of corneal tissue has to be removed when forming the flap. If the cornea is too thin to begin with, the result can be a cornea that is too thin and this could result into problems with the patient’s vision. In such cases where the cornea is too thin, LASIK may cause more harm than good.

Thus, before recommending LASIK, your LASIK surgeon will first conduct an evaluation, which includes a corneal pachymetry test for measuring the thickness of the cornea. The normal corneal thickness is about 555 microns and the ideal thickness before the procedure is estimated to be between 450 and 550 microns. This is because the amount of corneal tissue removed is usually 120 microns and there should be at least 250 microns of corneal tissue left to ensure that the cornea is structurally safe.

Fortunately, for patients whose corneas are too thin, there are other vision correction alternatives. One is the EVO Visian ICL where a biocompatible lens is implanted through the cornea instead of tissue being removed. This synthetic intraocular lens is positioned between the crystalline lens and the iris. Another option is the Advanced Photorefractive Keratectomy (ASA PRK). As opposed to LASIK, this procedure doesn’t require the creation of a flap. Instead PRK removes the epithelium (outer layer) of the eye with the result that less tissue has to be removed. With the PRK procedure, healing will be slower but the procedure will be faster compared to LASIK.

Founded in 1994, ClearSight has a team of vision correction experts, who are board certified surgeons and highly skilled medical staff. They are committed to offering the best vision possible for their patients without requiring them to wear eyeglasses or contact lenses. The team is made up of vision correction surgeons, Drs. Luke Rebenitsch, Kasey Brown, and Anna Edmiston, and they are assisted by optometrists, Drs. Diane Tong, Stephen Fly, and Stacey Rocket. Dr. Luke Rebenitsch is a global expert in vision correction surgery, particularly in LASIK and all types of vision correction surgical processes. He is board-certified by the American Board of Ophthalmology and he is a member of various international societies on vision correction. Dr. Anna Edmiston earned her medical degree from UAB in Birmingham, Alabama and then finished her ophthalmology residency at the University of Colorado. She joined ClearSight as a fellow in refractive surgery after completing her fellowship in Illinois. Dr. Kasey Brown was an academic scholar at the University of Arkansas, where obtained her BS degree. And then she obtained her medical degree from the Oklahoma State University College of Osteopathic Medicine. It was during this time that she came to realize the life-changing effects of eye surgery.

Those who are interested in the vision correction procedures can visit the ClearSight website or contact them on the phone or by email.