Lasik a Decade Ago, then Ectasia and Intacs

This is a photo of the lower portion of the left cornea of an eye that underwent LASIK surgery 10 years ago and developed a corneal ectasia several years later. In an effort to undo the damage to the cornea created by LASIK, Intacs (plastic intra corneal rings) were surgically implanted into this cornea. Several years after the Intacs surgery this eye became infected and inflamed from this plastic rings. The lower ring was surgically removed several years ago. In this photo note the curved gray scar. This is due to the surgery to remove the Intacs. Also note the numerous small blood vessels around this scarred area. Understand that the cornea is normally devoid of blood vessels. This patient is now wearing a scleral lens on this eye which is providing him with clear (20/20) vision for the first time in many years. For the past few years this cornea has remained stable and the vision in this eye has remained clear.