Excimer laser phototherapeutic keratectomy retreatment of anterior basement membrane dystrophy and Salzmann's nodular degeneration with topical mitomycin C.

PURPOSE: To report a case of excimer laser phototherapeutic keratectomy retreatment of anterior basement membrane (ABM) dystrophy and Salzmann's nodular degeneration with a single intraoperative application of topical mitomycin C (0.02%).

METHODS

Case report.

RESULTS

A 91-year-old woman underwent excimer laser phototherapeutic keratectomy (PTK) in the left eye for ABM dystrophy and Salzmann's nodular degeneration causing decreased visual acuity (VA), ocular irritation, and recurrent erosions. Slit-lamp examination of both eyes revealed diffuse ABM dystrophy changes with mild to moderate subepithelial and anterior stromal haze and scarring involving the visual axis. The PTK treatment was preceded by a superficial keratectomy with a blade. The excimer laser was set for a 6-mm circular ablation zone with a treatment depth of 5 microm. The cornea remained clear for several months. Six months after surgery, the patient presented with difficulty reading and VA of 20/70. Slit-lamp examination of the left eye revealed recurrent Salzmann-type nodular degeneration inferior to the visual axis. A treatment course of topical steroids was not successful. She underwent another superficial keratectomy with a blade and PTK treatment (same laser parameters as the first procedure) with a 2-minute application of 0.02% mitomycin C on a cellulose sponge. The surgery proceeded without complications. On postoperative day 7, she presented with a healed epithelium and faint anterior stromal haze. Best-corrected visual acuity was 20/50, which is her best-expected VA. Six months after the procedure, the cornea revealed no signs of recurrence.

CONCLUSION

The use of topical mitomycin C in conjunction with PTK may prevent recurrence of Salzmann's nodular degeneration.