Excimer laser phototherapeutic keratectomy for corneal opacities and recurrent erosion.

BACKGROUND

Phototherapeutic keratectomy (PTK) has been used to treat superficial corneal opacities, as well as the recurrent corneal erosion syndrome.

METHODS

We performed PTK 6 eyes of 6 patients to treat corneal opacities, and in one eye of another patient to treat recurrent corneal erosion syndrome. Opacities were caused by a healed corneal ulcer, herpetic keratitis, band keratopathy, corneal burn, corneal dystrophy, and an excised pterygium. The follow-up period ranged from 2 to 6 months.

RESULTS

Corneal clarity improved to variable degrees in all eyes with corneal opacities. There was no recurrence in the Recurrent Corneal Erosion Syndrome. A hyperopic shift was observed in 2 eyes.

CONCLUSIONS

PTK appears to be an effective alternative to penetrating keratoplasty in patients with selected anterior stromal opacities can treat the Recurrent Corneal Erosion Syndrome.