Corneal ectasia after laser in situ keratomileusis

Purpose: To describe 7 patients who developed ectasia following laser in situ keratomileusis (LASIK). Setting: Instituto, de la Vision, Buenos Aires, Argentina. Methods. In this retrospective study of 7 patients, visual acuity, refraction, pachymetry, and corneal topography were examined before and after the refractive procedure and the occurrence of ectasia. Results. Two of the 7 patients required penetrating keratoplasty. Ectasia developed within a mean of 1.02 years +/- 0.31 (SID). The clinical evolution of ectasia and the potential physiopathogenic causes of ectasia are described. Conclusion: Ectasia should be considered a potential complication of LASIK that is closely related to corneal thickness, but another variable, the optical zone diameter, should also be considered.