Lasik surgery on an eye with an old corneal transplant

Dear Ask The Doctor: I had a 3 inch spike penetrate my eye 20 years ago. I received a lens implant and a successful corneal transplant. Sight was measured at 20-800. They said back then that the vision could not be repaired with contacts or glasses. Now a new Dr. is telling me that my vision has improved and can be fixed with Lasik or contact lenses. Could this be? Can you put a contact lens over a transplant? Would you recommend me getting Lasik or contact lens. I am very squeemish about putting things in my eye. Thank you,Todd Teno.

Dear Todd: The nature of your initial injury will determine if LASIK surgery or contact lens will improve your vision. If only your cornea and lens were damaged then it may be possible to correct your vision with LASIK surgery or contact lenses. However, if your retina was damaged, these procedures will not help to correct your vision. The retina is the posterior portion of the eye  which 'processes' the images viewed. So, before considering any further procedures, you should ascertain exactly what structures were damaged.

LASIK surgery offers the best option. It is a procedure that is done on an out-patient basis. Be mindful, a thorough evaluation will be required before performing the procedure since the procedure will be performed on a previously injured eye.