Treatment of corneal opacity by planned lamellar keratectomy using the femtosecond laser.

PURPOSE: To report successful vision restoration after lamellar keratectomy using a femtosecond (FS) laser in a patient with superficial corneal opacity that developed after an episode of epidemic keratoconjunctivitis.

METHODS

A 19-year-old girl with corneal opacity in the left eye was referred to our department for treatment. The opacity was principally located within the superficial anterior cornea. To remove the opacity with minimization of change in the keratometric value, we performed lamellar keratectomy with the aim of creating a 100-μm-thick flap, using an FS laser (IntraLase FS; AMO, Irvine, CA).

RESULTS

Postoperatively, corneal opacity was removed and vision improved. Six months after surgery, the corneal surface was stable and smooth, and no corneal haze was observed. The keratometric value measured by corneal topography and manifest refraction showed no hyperopic shift postoperatively.

CONCLUSIONS

This report indicates that the FS laser may be an effective surgical tool for the treatment of patients with corneal opacity and that hyperopic shift is not of concern.