For many people, LASIK is a life-changing decision—offering freedom from glasses or contacts. But what happens when your vision starts getting worse again, months or even years after surgery? In rare cases, the culprit could be corneal ectasia, a progressive and sometimes devastating complication.
At Antoine Eye Care in St. Louis, Missouri, we’re seeing more patients who come in confused, frustrated, and unsure why their vision is failing them—again. As Dr. Michael Antoine explains, “These are people who thought LASIK was the end of their vision problems. Now they’re back in the chair, scared, and looking for answers. That’s where we come in.”
What Is Corneal Ectasia?
Corneal ectasia is a condition in which the cornea—normally dome-shaped—begins to thin and bulge outward, distorting vision. It can occur naturally, as in keratoconus, or as a rare complication following refractive surgery like LASIK or PRK.
After LASIK, the cornea is permanently reshaped to correct nearsightedness or astigmatism. But for some patients, especially those with underlying corneal irregularities or thin corneas, the surgery can weaken the structure of the eye. Over time, this weakness may progress into ectasia, leading to symptoms like:
- Increasing blurry or distorted vision
- Worsening astigmatism
- Halos, glare, or ghost images
- Poor night vision
- Decreased best-corrected vision, even with glasses
Why Ectasia Is Often Misdiagnosed
Because ectasia develops gradually, it’s not always immediately connected to a past LASIK procedure. Some patients are told they simply have “bad vision” or are handed a new glasses prescription that doesn’t really help. But Antoine Eye Care looks deeper.
“We see patients who’ve been told nothing’s wrong—when in fact, their cornea is continuing to thin and warp,” says Dr. Antoine. “We run specialized corneal topography and tomography to measure the shape of the eye. Once we know what we’re dealing with, we can finally give them answers.”
How Common Is It?
Post-LASIK corneal ectasia is rare—but not unheard of. Most estimates place the risk between 0.02% and 0.6% of LASIK patients. However, in a busy metro area like St. Louis, that still means a steady stream of patients who need specialized care.
Often, the first sign is that glasses or standard soft contact lenses no longer correct your vision. If this sounds familiar, don’t wait—the earlier ectasia is diagnosed, the more we can do to slow its progression and restore visual clarity.
Next Steps: How Antoine Eye Care Can Help
At Antoine Eye Care, we specialize in managing complex corneal conditions, including post-LASIK complications like corneal ectasia. We offer:
- In-depth corneal imaging and analysis
- Monitoring for progression over time
- Non-surgical treatment with custom scleral lenses
- Honest discussion about long-term management
As Dr. Antoine puts it, “It’s not about undoing LASIK—it’s about doing the right thing next. We help patients see better again, safely and comfortably.”
Don’t Ignore the Warning Signs
If your vision has started to decline again after LASIK—especially if you notice halos, double vision, or new blur that glasses can’t fix—corneal ectasia may be the reason. And while the condition is serious, it’s also treatable.
We encourage patients across St. Louis to reach out if something feels off with their vision. Whether you had LASIK five years ago or fifteen, it’s never too late to get the right diagnosis.
Schedule Your Eye Exam in St. Louis, Missouri
If you suspect post-LASIK complications, trust Antoine Eye Care to provide answers and solutions. Our advanced diagnostic tools and personalized approach mean you’ll never feel left in the dark.
Schedule an appointment online or visit us in St. Louis, Missouri, located in the LensCrafters in the St. Louis Galleria. Your next step to clearer vision starts here.
FAQs
Q: Can corneal ectasia happen years after LASIK?
A: Yes. Some patients develop symptoms months or even several years after surgery. Gradual changes in vision are often the first sign.
Q: Is corneal ectasia the same as keratoconus?
A: They are similar but not identical. Both involve corneal thinning and bulging, but ectasia is typically triggered by surgical weakening of the cornea.
Q: Can glasses fix ectasia?
A: In the early stages, they may help. But as the cornea becomes more irregular, glasses and soft contacts often fail to provide clear vision.
Q: What’s the best treatment for corneal ectasia?
A: In most cases, scleral lenses offer the best combination of comfort, clarity, and corneal protection.
Q: How do I know if I have ectasia?
A: The only way to know for sure is through detailed corneal imaging performed by an experienced eye doctor.