FDA Approves New Therapy for Lasik Complications

In an attempt to help people with complications after LASIK surgery, the Food and Drug Administration has approved a new surgical treatment to correct the so-called 'decentered ablation' that affects a small but significant number of the 800,000 Americans who undergo refractive surgery each year.

The 'Custom-Contoured Ablation Pattern' (C-CAP) method was developed by VISX, a leading U.S. laser producer. Although the treatment was approved in December, few doctors have the experience and equipment to perform this.

'Decentered ablation' is a complication of LASIK surgery when the eye is not perfectly aligned with the laser, often because the patient moves involuntarily. Alterations to the cornea are therefore decentered and can cause problems such as halos, double vision or poor night vision.

C-CAP uses a 'mapping unit' that scans the surface of the cornea, identifies the problem area with precision and, with leading-edge software allows the surgeon to plan the operation. A specialist then uses a laser to perform surgery.

According to Ayman Boutros, director of the Eye Center in Northern Virginia and one of the first doctors authorized to perform C-CAP treatment, in the Washington area alone approx. 400-600 people could be ideal candidates for the procedure which, because it is a surgical operation, should not be considered 'risk-free'.