Phototherapeutic keratectomy for the treatment of nodular subepithelial corneal scars in patients with keratoconus who are contact lens intolerant.

The management of keratoconus with contact lenses may be complicated by punctate epithelial keratopathy, epithelial breakdown, and nodular, raised subepithelial scars. We report four consecutive cases of contact lens intolerance due to pain in patients with keratoconus and raised, nodular scars. Excimer laser phototherapeutic keratectomy (PTK) was used to treat all patients. Follow-up ranged from 7 to 14 months (mean: 10 months). All patients resumed rigid gas permeable (RGP) contact lens wear 2 to 4 weeks after surgery. Visual acuities ranged from 20/40 to 20/70 before surgery and improved to 20/25 or better in all patients postoperatively. PTK flattened the central cornea by an average of 5.43 D (range: 1.13-10.19 D); and refractive cylinder was reduced an average of 4.00 D (range: 3.25-5.25 D). We conclude that PTK may delay or avoid penetrating keratoplasty in selected patients with keratoconus who are contact lens intolerant due to nodular subepithelial scars.