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Technical definitions of low vision vary and may or may not be defined by a threshold for visual acuity (20/X). For the laser eye surgery complications patient who has suffered a reduction in acuity and/or vision quality not correctible with lenses, the concept of low vision may be very relevant in terms of establishing a disability, whether for purposes of employment, disability insurance or litigation.
A laser eye surgery patient falling into the "low vision" category is probably likely to fall into one of the following categories: 1) the patient whose cornea has been very seriously compromised by a microkeratome malfunction/flap complication or advanced ectasia or an unsuccessful or complicated corneal transplant; or alternatively the patient with central corneal defects resulting in both high amounts of higher order aberrations and a large reduction in best-corrected visual acuity. It seems very unlikely that the patient with large amounts of higher order aberrations but who still has a technically acceptable BCVA would quality. Patients should consult their physician for more information.
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