Can I Have Laser Eye Surgery If I Am Prone To Keloid Scarring?

Laser Eye Surgery has come a long way in recent years. Advancements in technology and expertise enable us to offer treatment to more people than ever before. We can treat higher prescriptions and even correct refractive errors in people with existing health problems. However, there are some cases in which Laser Eye Surgery isn’t an option.

So, we’re on a mission to inform our readers and prospective patients about conditions and factors that could make them unsuitable for treatment – as well as to reassure them when something shouldn’t be an issue.

So, in this article, we’re answering the question: Can I have Laser Eye Surgery if I am prone to keloid scarring?

What is Keloid Scarring?

Keloid scarring is characterised by the development of raised scars left on the skin after a wound has healed. This type of scar usually appears a few weeks up to years after the skin is damaged and can continue to grow, becoming bigger than the original wound. Keloid scars may feel itch or painful while they are growing but this usually stops once they have finished growing.

Keloid scarring occurs due to an overproduction of collagen in the skin. Collagen is the most abundant protein in our bodies and it plays a crucial role in skin, muscles, bones, tendons, ligaments and other connective tissues. Collagen is also useful for wound healing; however, when there is too much collagen in the skin, keloids can form.

Keloid scars can occur anywhere on the body but they are more common on the chest, shoulders, chin, neck, lower legs, and ears. Common causes can include cuts, burns, surgery, acne, and body piercings.

It’s not possible to get rid of a keloid scar, but there are some treatments that may help improve its appearance and reduce irritation. These may include:

• Steroid injections or creams
• Silicone dressings or gels
• Cryotherapy (a treatment to freeze the keloid scar)
• Laser therapy

Laser Eye Surgery and Keloid Scarring

So, let’s get back to the question at hand. The good news is that most people who are prone to keloid scarring are still suitable for Laser Eye Surgery treatment. As our expert Laser Eye Surgeon, Mr. Glenn Carp, explains in the video below, keloid scarring has been found to have no influence on Laser Eye Surgery results.

“The overproduction of collagen tissue found in scars on the skin keloid formation has not been shown to have an effect on the healing process within the cornea.”

At London Vision Clinic, we perform among the most comprehensive screening processes there is. This allows us to gain the clearest possible picture of your overall health and the health of your eyes, enabling us to make an accurate decision about your suitability for treatment.

If you’d like to learn more about your suitability for Laser Eye Surgery at London Vision Clinic, get in touch with one of our friendly clinic coordinators or Book a Consultation today.