Laser refractive surgery in a patient with a prepapillary arterial loop.

PURPOSE: To present a patient with a prepapillary vascular loop, a congenital anomaly that has been associated with vitreous hemorrhage and retinal vascular occlusion, who underwent refractive surgery.

METHODS

A 45-year-old man with 2.00 diopters (D) of myopia and a unilateral prepapillary arterial loop presented with an interest in LASIK. After consideration of the theoretical risks of LASIK, the patient underwent photorefractive keratectomy with manual de-epithelialization and a scanning spot excimer laser.

RESULTS

Postoperatively, uncorrected visual acuity was 20/20, visual field testing was normal, and no complications occurred. Follow-up was 4 years.

CONCLUSIONS

Surface ablation was a safe method in a low myopic patient with a prepapillary vascular loop. This case emphasizes the importance of a thorough vitreoretinal examination in laser refractive candidates.