Can I Have Laser Eye Surgical procedure if I Have Ulcers in My Eye?

In case you are contemplating Laser Eye Surgical procedure however have corneal ulcers (keratitis), you might be involved that you may be unable to go forward along with your remedy. On this article, we cowl the whole lot you have to learn about corneal ulcers and the way they may impression your suitability for Laser Eye Surgical procedure.

What’s Keratitis?

Corneal ulcers – also referred to as ulcerative keratitis or just keratitis – refers to an irritation or irritation of the cornea. They manifest as open sores on the cornea (the outermost layer of the attention) and might trigger redness. Different signs of corneal ulcers might embody:

• Redness within the affected eye;
• Extreme ache and soreness;
• A gritty feeling within the affected eye;
• Watering;
• Pus or different discharge;
• Blurred imaginative and prescient;
• Sensitivity to gentle;
• Swelling of the eyelids.

Causes of Corneal Keratitis

Keratitis will be attributable to quite a lot of issues, together with eye harm, infections, and extreme dry eye. Most circumstances of keratitis are attributable to both a bacterial, viral, or fungal an infection.

Bacterial infections are a typical aspect impact of sporting contact lenses – significantly extended-wear lenses. Correct dealing with, storage, and cleansing of your contact lenses will help to scale back your threat of growing an an infection and corneal ulcers.

Viral infections together with the herpes simplex virus (the virus that causes chilly sores) will be related to recurring keratitis. In such circumstances, there could also be triggers comparable to stress, publicity to daylight, or an impaired immune system. The varicella virus (the virus that causes shingles and rooster pox) may also trigger corneal ulcers.

Fungal infections may also happen because of improper use of contact lenses. This sort of an infection will also be attributable to steroid eye drops and harm the place the attention is uncovered to plant materials.

Parasitic infections attributable to Acanthamoeba, a microscopic amoeba will be extreme and lead to corneal ulcers, significantly in touch lens wearers. These single-celled organisms are generally present in contemporary water and soil.

Different causes of keratitis can embody:

Whereas corneal ulcers are normally treatable, in extreme circumstances, it may well result in extreme imaginative and prescient loss and even blindness.

Therapy for Keratitis

The remedy of corneal ulcers will depend upon the reason for the situation. Chances are you’ll be prescribed antibiotic, antifungal, or antiviral eye drops or tablets to assist combat any an infection in your eyes. In some circumstances, you might be given steroidal eye drops; nevertheless, these ought to solely be used underneath the shut supervision of a certified healthcare skilled.

Laser Eye Surgical procedure and Corneal Ulcers

When you have a corneal ulcer, you may be unable to bear Laser Eye Surgical procedure till the affected eye(s) has absolutely recovered. When you have had corneal ulcers up to now, that is unlikely to be a contraindication for Laser Eye Surgical procedure, that means that you’ll more than likely be appropriate for remedy (relying on the outcomes of your session) as soon as your signs have improved.

Your eye physician will assess your eye well being and total well being throughout your complete screening appointment. This permits us to precisely decide your suitability for Laser Eye Surgical procedure and establish the perfect plan of action for you.

Keratitis After Laser Eye Surgical procedure

In uncommon circumstances, corneal ulcers might develop the place an infection happens after Laser Refractive Surgical procedure (LRS). This is called post-LRS infectious keratitis. Present figures point out that post-LRS keratitis might happen in between 0% and 1.5% of circumstances; nevertheless, this will normally be handled rapidly and nearly all of sufferers presenting with ulcers after Laser Eye Surgical procedure go on to realize 20/40 or larger imaginative and prescient.

Moreover, the threat of problems is even smaller when the process is carried out by an professional surgeon with entry to the most recent expertise.

Should you’d wish to be taught extra about your suitability for Laser Eye Surgical procedure, considered one of our pleasant clinic coordinators is at all times joyful to assist. Get in contact or E-book a Session in the present day to begin your journey to clear glasses- and call lens-free imaginative and prescient.