Three Lasiks over RK

The 3 photos below were taken of the same eye over a 4 year period. This eye underwent several separate RK surgeries followed by 3 separate LASIK surgeries years later. In the first photo note the blood vessels growing along the RK incisions. The white “hatchet” like structure is epithelial ingrowth (epithelial cells under the LASIK flap). The 2nd photo was taken about 2 years later. The epithelial ingrowth is no longer in the same location and appears to have dispersed under the LASIK flap. Instead there appears to be fine “glitter” like particles in the center of the cornea under the LASIK flap. The last photo was taken of the same eye 18 months after the 2nd photo was taken. Now these fine particulate “glitter” like structures have morphed into something that looks like a heavily scratched piece of ground glass. This patient was referred to a major eye institute where a diagnosis of “Crystalline Keratopathy” was made. This year this patient will be receiving a corneal transplant on this eye. “Crystalline Keratopathy” is a rare complication of LASIK surgery. It is very slow to develop and progress.