I had RK done on my right eye almost 14 years ago. My vision was negative 8 diopters and I was corrected to -4.0. I had 16 incisions in the eye. I never had my left eye done.The left eye is -7.0. The first doctor ran all the tests (topography etc.) and said that he didn't see a problem with performing LASIK on both eyes. After further discussing it with my husband we decided to opt for another opinion. The second doctor said that he wouldn't touch my right eye because of all the incisions.The most he would do is four incisions. My question is - are there any studies or known cases of LASIK on eyes that have had RK and what the success rate is?? What are th possible complications?? Sixteen pieces of pie (cornea)? My heart says yes but my brain says wait! Thank - You

LASIK can be done safely after RK. I have not done LASIK on a patient who had previous RK with 16 incisions, so I can not answer this from personal experience. I would talk with your first doctor and find out how many cases that doctor has done with 16 incision RK and as well perhaps get a third opinion from someone who has also done LASIK in patients with previous RK.

I hope this helps

Bill Trattler, MD
Miami, FL

I have personally performed LASIK on six patients who had previous RK. Two of these patients had more than 8 incisions (I didn't do either of their RK's). One had 16 in both eyes and the other had too many to count (again, not my surgery). All six patients did well and all achieved the goals we planned for. Two had one of the RK incisions open when lifting the flap. It healed well with a bandage contact lens. Finally, I have lifted a previous LASIK flap in a previously RK'd eye for enhancement LASIK surgery and went well without problems. My thougts going into the surgery was that if everything didn't go smoothly, I could abort and stop. My experience has been positive even with incisions greater than 8 (which is the traditional maximum). Good luck.
Steven Ofner, M.D.
Eugene, Oregon
http://www.eugeneeyecare.com