Clinical Ophthalmology

Post-Laser Vision Correction Ectasia: Risk Factors, Diagnosis, Prevention, and Management

Post-laser vision correction ectasia is a potentially progressive corneal biomechanical disorder that can occur after corneal refractive procedures, including LASIK, PRK, and KLex. It is characterized by progressive corneal thinning and irregular steepening, with consequences ranging from reduced visual quality and refractive instability to significant visual impairment. Although modern screening methods have substantially improved patient selection, ectasia remains an important complication because it may develop despite apparently acceptable preoperative parameters.

A better understanding of the mechanisms, risk factors and early clinical indicators of post-laser vision correction ectasia is essential for improving patient safety and long-term visual outcomes. Advances in corneal tomography, biomechanics, artificial intelligence, and risk prediction have expanded the ability to identify eyes at increased risk before surgery and to recognize subtle progression at an earlier stage. Evidence regarding prevention, surveillance, and treatment is also evolving, particularly with the increasing use of corneal cross-linking and individualized management strategies.

This Article Collection will provide a comprehensive platform for contemporary research and clinical perspectives on post-laser vision correction ectasia. Topics of interest include (but are not limited to):

• Preoperative risk assessment and screening
• Corneal tomography and biomechanics
• Residual stromal bed and tissue-related parameters
• Artificial intelligence and predictive models
• Incidence and natural history
• Diagnostic criteria and progression assessment
• Postoperative surveillance
• Corneal cross-linking
• Contact lenses
• Intracorneal ring segments
• Keratoplasty
• Other emerging treatments

Original research articles, systematic and narrative reviews, meta-analyses, clinical trial reports, protocols, and clinically relevant perspectives are invited. Please note that meta-analyses require a pre-submission check.

Submission Instructions:

During submission (in step 2 "About paper"), you will see a question asking "Are you interested in submitting to an article collection?" Please select the radio dial for "Yes". Then select "Post-Laser Vision Correction Ectasia: Risk Factors, Diagnosis, Prevention, and Management" from the drop down menu.

All manuscripts submitted to this Article Collection will undergo full peer review; Guest Advisors will not be handling submitted articles. Please review the journal’s aims and scope and author submission instructions prior to submission. Standard Article Publishing Charges apply.

Authors interested in the responsible use of AI should review Taylor & Francis's AI policies.

If you have any questions about this Article Collection, please contact Krista Thom at Krista.Thom@taylorandfrancis.com.

Guest Advisor:

Tarek El-Naggar, M.D., FRCS, is an Assistant Professor of Ophthalmology and Head of the Refractive Surgery Unit at the Research Institute of Ophthalmology, Giza, Egypt. His clinical and research interests include refractive surgery, corneal tomography and biomechanics, keratoconus, and ectasia risk assessment. He reported the first published case of corneal ectasia following SMILE surgery in the Journal of Cataract & Refractive Surgery and received the 2013 ASCRS Best Paper Award. He has authored numerous peer reviewed publications on refractive surgery, corneal imaging, biomechanics, and ectasia.

Disclosure Statement: Dr. El-Naggar discloses no conflicts of interest.