Corneal injury after carbon dioxide laser skin resurfacing.

PURPOSE: To describe a corneal injury in both eyes of a patient who had undergone carbon dioxide laser skin resurfacing.

METHOD: Case report.

RESULTS

A 67-year-old woman had severe pain and decreased vision in both eyes after undergoing laser skin resurfacing treatment with a pulsed carbon dioxide laser. Clinical examination disclosed a corneal ulcer, a bullous keratopathy, and intrastromal bleeding. After perforating keratoplasty, the histologic examination of the cornea showed signs of thermal injury.

CONCLUSIONS

The results of the histologic examination and the onset of symptoms within 24 hours after therapy suggest that the laser application caused the corneal damage. Safety guidelines for this procedure should be reviewed.