Detailed measurements (called “corneal topography”) of the patient’s eye will be taken with painless, state-of-the art technology to determine if the patient is a candidate for laser vision correction.
Normal corneal topography is a pre-requisite to proceeding with laser vision correction. Very rarely, subtle irregularities are identified that prevent some patients from proceeding. In some situations corneal topography may provide important prognostic information that is not evident on the ophthalmologist’s examination or corneal topography performed using older technology.
Keratoconus
The most common condition identified through topography is keratoconus or its subtle precursor condition forme fruste keratoconus. This relatively uncommon condition involves increased corneal thinning and steepening. Proceeding with laser vision correction in this condition can result in further thinning and steepening of the central cornea, a condition called ectasia It occurs in approximately one in 2000 cases of LASIK.
