Two RKs, Then Four Lasiks, then Ectasia, Neovascularization, and Epithelial Ingrowth.

The eyes seen here underwent 2 separate Radial Keratotomy surgeries in the 1980’s. Beginning in 2000 and for several years after, each eye underwent 4 separate LASIK surgeries. Both eyes developed ectasia following these surgeries. In addition, over a period of years, both corneas became neo-vascularized (blood vessel growth onto the cornea) and developed epithelial ingrowth. Epithelial ingrowth is a condition where the cells from the outermost corneal layer (the epithelium) begins to grow under the LASIK flap where it does not belong creating a cloudy cornea. Look carefully at the first photo and you can see at 11:00 and 12:00 a cloudy inflamed appearance within the open RK incisions. These are epithelial cells that have gotten into the central cornea through the open RK incisions. In the 2nd photo, notice the grey haze opposite the pupil. This is epithelial ingrowth. Epithelial cells have gotten under the LASIK flap and are growing in an area where they do not belong. Note the blood vessels growing onto the cornea from 9:00 and 10:00. Again, blood vessels do not belong on the cornea. At the present time this patient has an appointment with a corneal specialist to determine if a corneal transplant in the left eye is the most appropriate course of action.