Hi Doctors

I had 8 incision RK in both eyes, about 7 years ago. The RK eliminated most of the myopia in one eye (now - 75) and about half in the other (-400). I am now unable to tolerate contact lenses as well as I used to. So I am considering laser surgery to eliminiate the myopia in the -4 eye. I am told that Lasek is the superior procedure in my case so there is not the risks associated with creating a flap on a post-rk eye. All the standard pre-lasik tests deem me a candidate for Laser surgery. I was just wondering whether there was a medical opinion consensus on LASEK being the best option for post-rk eyes

JM

It is my opinion that a surface ablation technique such as LASEK or its cousin PRK is a superior technique for post-RK patients in most instances. If the doctor who has examined you affirms that you are an appropriate candidate for LASEK, it would be IMO the better option if you decide to have surgery.

I highly recommend that you determine exactly why you have become contact lens intolerant before having surgery. Whatever is causing the problems with contacts should be resolved before deciding about having refractive surgery.

If you are near or past age 40, you may want to consider monovision.
See http://www.usaeyes.org/faq/subjects/monovision.htm

Glenn Hagele
Council for Refractive Surgery Quality Assurance
http://www.USAeyes.org
http://www.ComplicatedEyes.org

I am not a doctor.