Due to the specialty nature of my practice, I am referred patients who have experienced problems with their LASIK performed in other places. One of the most difficult problems to correct after LASIK is called ectasia.  Ectasia is a rare complication seen when LASIK is performed in an abnormally weak cornea. In ectasia, the cornea becomes distorted to the point that it significantly blurs vision. Today the FDA approved an important new treatment for this rare complication called CXL or corneal cross linking. CXL is a procedure that actually adds strength to the cornea. During CXL, a Vitamin B solution is placed on the cornea and a controlled form of light is shined on the cornea. The B vitamin soaks into the cornea and absorbs the light energy, causing a stiffening and strengthening of the weak tissue. Ectasia also can occur in people with weak corneas who never have had LASIK. This is most commonly seen in a genetic disease called keratconus (“cone shaped cornea”). Earlier this year, the FDA also approved CXL to treat ectasia developed from keratoconus as well. CXL is  a powerful tool to help patients who have experienced this rare LASIK complication — or who have been born with keratoconus but have not had LASIK.