CORNEAL SCARRING AFTER PHOTOREFRACTIVE KERATECTOMY IN A PENETRATING KERATOPLASTY

PURPOSE: To report severe scarring in a corneal graft after excimer la ser photorefractive keratectomy. METHODS: A 35-year old man underwent photorefractive keratectomy twice for severe compound myopic astigmati sm and anisometropia after penetrating keratoplasty. RESULTS: Corneal opacity corresponded to areas of irregular epithelial thickness, focal absence of the basement membrane, loss of Bowman's layer, and stromal scarring in the ablation zone. CONCLUSION: There may be an increased risk of severe corneal stromal scarring from photorefractive keratecto my in eyes that have had previous penetrating keratoplasty.