New evaluation shows Lasik laser eye surgery may be performed safely for some patients with systemic diseases.

May 26, 2006 — SACRAMENTO — A new study published in the April issue of the medical journal Ophthalmology indicates that patients with systemic diseases that are traditionally listed as relative or absolute contraindications may have Lasik safely and with predictable results.

The study evaluated the Lasik outcomes of 141 consecutive patents with autoimmune connective-tissue disorders, psoriasis, intestinal inflammatory diseases, diabetes mellitus, and history of keloid formation. Twenty-nine patients were receiving systemic immunosuppressive therapy. The outcomes of patients with systemic diseases were compared to a control group of 181 similar patients without the conditions.

Mild anatomic complications were observed in the case and control groups with similar percentages, and there were no statistical differences between groups. The only significant functional finding was a worse refractive outcome in the collagen vascular diseases group compared with controls. There were no other statistical differences detected in the other systemic disease groups.

The outcomes indicate that LASIK can be performed effectively and safely in selected patients with stable and controlled systemic diseases. The absolute exclusion of certain systemic contraindications should be reconsidered on a case-by-case basis.

Source: Ophthamology

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