A Solution For Refractive Surgery Overcorrection

The refractive surgical procedure, PRK involves debrading, or scraping the top layer of the cornea, thereby exposing the inner layers which are then treated with a laser. In doing so, the cornea can be reshaped, and this will improve the vision of the patient. Ideally, the patient will wear a bandage contact lens for several days post operatively while taking anti inflammatory and antibiotic eye drops. Most often the patient’s cornea will heal properly and the corrected vision will be stable, and good.

On occasion, the corneal tissue does not grow back at the desired rate, and nearsighted patients may become farsighted post operatively. In these cases, the outer layer of the cornea may not have fully regenerated resulting in an overcorrection. This condition is called Epithelial Hypoplasia, and is a thinner then required corneal outer layer. The cornea may be as thin as 50-60 microns, 560 microns for a normal cornea, and has difficulty growing back.

Fortunately, there is a procedure to help the epithelium regenerate correctly, and it is called CLAKIS. It is a contact lens assisted procedure, and effectively makes the cornea grow back. The treatment involves placing a soft contact lens on the eye, and wearing it for a week at a time while taking Non Steroidal Anti Inflammatory drops, Voltarin, concurrently. The contact lens creates an inflammatory response in the post operative eye while the Voltarin prevents scarring during the regrowth period. The increased inflammation causes an increase in cell growth, increasing the outer layer and thereby decreasing the hypoplasia. In doing so, the hyperopia (farsightedness) is eliminated.

This procedure is not a well known, or a widely employed therapy. However, it is a very effective solution for the surgical over correction of nearsighted patients. In short, it is very important to always be in the care of a very experienced surgeon so he/she can properly deal with all potential surgical complications, and respond in an efficacious way.