Phototherapeutic keratectomy for recurrent corneal erosions

Abstract

Recurrent corneal erosion may be a difficult disorder to treat, with a number of patients suffering persistent symptoms despite conventional therapy. We present a series of 15 patients (17 eyes) who underwent excimer laser phototherapeutic keratectomy (PTK) for recurrent corneal erosion. In 9 patients a previous episode of corneal trauma could be identified, while in 6 (8 eyes) the problem had occurred spontaneously. The mean duration of symptoms prior to PTK was 13 months (range 6–60 months). All patients had received lubricant ointments, 7 had tried bandage contact lenses and 4 had undergone epithelial debridement with no amelioration of their symptoms. The affect area of epithelium was removed and a 20–30 pulse (5–7 μm) ablation was performed to Bowman ’s membrane. Great care was taken to avoid the edges of treatment zones from encroaching on the axial cornea. In 11 patients (13 eyes) there was a marked improvement in symptoms post-operatively with no recurrences. The mean follow-up was 11 months (range 6–24 months). Four patients experienced recurrent episodes 3–6 months after PTK and 2 have subsequently been retreated, 1 of whom has been symptom-free for 12 months. Post-operative best corrected visual acuity was unaltered in 9 eyes and improved by at least one Snellen line in 8 eyes. Excimer laser PTK appears to be a safe and promising procedure for recurrent corneal erosion in cases refractory to medical treatment. Further studies are indicated to compare its effectiveness with established surgical procedures. © 1994 Royal College of Ophthalmologists.