Can I get Lasik if I have a corneal scar?

These scars will most likely be permanent since the inner layers of the cornea do not recycle like the outer epithelial layer. These superficial scars are generally not a problem for LASIK unless they are very thick and very deep, in which case they could affect the creation of the flap.

What happens if the cornea is scarred?

Corneal scar tissue can be defined as any opacity on or within the corneal surface. Healthy corneas are transparent and allow light to pass through to the retina, unobstructed. Corneas with scar tissue, however, can cause distortion or complete vision obstruction, depending on the severity.

Can corneal scarring cause blindness?

Corneal damage is a leading cause of blindness world wide, but especially in less developed countries. Corneal clouding or scarring can result in glared or blurred vision.

Are corneal scars permanent?

Debris and/or chemicals entering the eye, infection, inflammation and diseases of the cornea can all lead to permanent scarring. Scar tissue formation often changes the optical properties of the cornea, thus altering sight.

How long does it take for corneal scarring to heal?

Most corneal abrasions heal in 24 to 72 hours and rarely progress to corneal erosion or infection.

Can PRK fix corneal scar?

Refractive laser PRK surgery-when practiced as an art-not only can address virgin eyes with all levels of ametropia, but also reverse and correct complex as well as complicated cases with corneal scars back to 20/20 vision.

Can a damaged cornea be healed?

The cornea is the clear area in the center of the front of the eye through which we see. When the cornea is scratched, the injury is called a corneal abrasion. Most of the time, small corneal abrasions will heal in a few days. A doctor may prescribe drops.

How do I stop my cornea from scarring?

Prevention is always the easiest and most efficient way to prevent scarring. Conditions that notoriously lead to scarring (corneal infection or ulcer) may be treated with immune-suppressing steroid eye drops after the infection is resolved to minimize or prevent scar formation.

Can corneal scars be removed?

Surgery with a corneal transplant can also remove corneal scarring but is an invasive and risky procedure that requires an extended healing period. This treatment option is preferred when the scarring is too extensive to benefit from PTK.