Successful treatment of superficial corneal irregularity by lamellar keratectomy using the femtosecond laser.

The authors report successful vision restoration after cataract surgery using a femtosecond laser in a patient with superficial corneal irregularity. A 62-year-old man with corneal irregularity and a cataract in the left eye was referred for treatment. The superficial corneal opacity causing the irregularity was mainly located within the superficial anterior cornea. To acquire a stable keratometric value, which is important for accurate calculation of intraocular lens power, lamellar keratectomy using a femtosecond laser (IntraLase; AMO, Irvine, CA) was performed to smooth the cornea surface. Postoperatively, corneal smoothness was restored and a stable keratometric value was acquired. Vision was improved with the expected refraction after cataract surgery. The femtosecond laser may be an effective surgical tool for patients with superficial corneal irregularity and cataracts.