How does rotary nystagmus complicate a Lasik procedure? As a layman, it seems that a jumping eye would cause the laser to burn the wrong spot?

What are possible remedies, like tracking technology or medication to stop the jitters?

How well measured are Lasik patients with nystagmus?

Thanks for your expertise...

LASIK can be performed on patients with nystagmus, although I think you hit on an important issue - how accurate are the refractions/eye measurements for LASIK in a patient with nystagmus. I believe it can be very difficult to get extremely precise measurements in patients with nystagmus. Extra effort is required, although I would think that a good refraction could be performed.
The other problem is the surgery. I use a Moria Microkeratome that has a setting called low Vac - which is whwere after the flap is made, the eye can be held still via a low vaccum suction device. This allows the laser to treat very precisely.

I hope this helps

Bill Trattler, MD
Miami, FL

Thanks for the info, Doctor. A couple follow ups, at your convenience....

Are there enough Lasik-treated nystagmus patients out there to get an idea if it affects outcomes?

Any surgeons around the country with a high number of nystagmus cases?

Does either topography or wavefront technology help (or offer the future promise of help to a patient patient)?

Thanks

Tom