My Optometrist says my corneas are too flat for refractive surgery

I'm myopic (right -5.00, left -5.75). During a routine eye examination,
my Optometrist casually remarked that I would not be a good candidate
for refractive surgery because my corneas are unusually flat. He explained
that refractive surgery corrects myopia by flattening the cornea but my
corneas are already flat. This makes sense to me but I would like to
know what other knowledgeable people think about this. Perhaps there
are some special refractive surgery techniques that are applicable to
myopics with flat corneas.

Thanks in advance for your comments.

Darwin

On 3/27/06 1:35 AM, in article (E-Mail Removed),
"Darwin" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote:

> I'm myopic (right -5.00, left -5.75). During a routine eye examination,
> my Optometrist casually remarked that I would not be a good candidate
> for refractive surgery because my corneas are unusually flat. He explained
> that refractive surgery corrects myopia by flattening the cornea but my
> corneas are already flat. This makes sense to me but I would like to
> know what other knowledgeable people think about this. Perhaps there
> are some special refractive surgery techniques that are applicable to
> myopics with flat corneas.
>
> Thanks in advance for your comments.
>
> Darwin
>
I am not a vision professional. My approach is from the viewpoint of optical
physics.

If your cornea is too flat, how come you can (or can you) get correction
using ordinary corrective lenses? If your vision can be corrected with such
lenses, I do not understand why your cornea cannot be sculpted to do the
same.

I would not seek refractive surgery for myself. Nevertheless, you may want a
better understanding of your peculiar anatomy to know why your eyes are not
suitable for the surgery. Maybe they do not wish to hollow out your flat
cornea.

Bill
-- Ferme le Bush

you probably dont have enough cornea because they are too thin and
flat. I would listen to this optometrist. You might consider IOLs or
just stick to glasses

I would ask the doctor to elaborate on his findings and be very
specific. Then I would seek a second and even third opinion. A "csual
remark" regarding your eye is not convincing enough for me personally
and I would press the issue and learn as much as I could about my
particular situation.