Transepithelial phototherapeutic keratectomy for recurrent corneal erosions in a patient with previous corneal collagen cross-linking.

PURPOSE: To report the significant visual and topographic improvement of a patient who had corneal collagen cross-linking (CXL) performed and was subsequently treated with transepithelial phototherapeutic keratectomy (t-PTK) for recurrent corneal erosions.

METHODS

A 36-year-old woman presented with recurrent corneal erosions in the right eye due to foreign body corneal trauma 1 month prior to presentation. The patient had undergone CXL treatment for keratoconus on the same eye 1 year prior to presentation. After failed conservative treatment consisting of epithelial debridement and lubrication with artificial tears, the patient underwent t-PTK.

RESULTS

Four months after t-PTK, corneal erosions did not recur and the patient remained asymptomatic. Slit-lamp examination revealed a clear cornea. The patient showed significant visual and topographic improvement after t-PTK.

CONCLUSIONS

Transepithelial PTK for recurrent corneal erosions in a postoperative CXL patient successfully treated the corneal pathology, and visual and topographic improvement were observed.