EXCIMER-LASER PHOTOTHERAPEUTIC KERATECTOMY FOR RECURRENT EROSIONS - ACLINICAL-STUDY

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Recurrent corneal erosion is a common cornea l disease. It may be difficult to treat, with a number of patients suf fering persistent symptoms despite having had conventional therapy, Th e aim of this study was to evaluate the usefulness of the excimer lase r for the treatment of recurrent corneal erosions. PATIENTS AND METHOD S: The authors studied 31 eyes of 24 patients who underwent excimer la ser phototherapeutic keratectomy (PTK) for recurrent corneal erosion. Three eyes were treated during an acute episode of recurrent erosion. The remaining eyes were treated during a symptom-free interval. The af fected area of epithelium was removed and a 25 pulse ablation was perf ormed to Bowman's membrane. RESULTS: In 30 eyes there was a marked imp rovement in symptoms postoperatively, with no recurrences. However, 1 eye had one recurrent episode 2 weeks after PTK. Postoperatively, refr action and corneal topography were unaltered in all cases. CONCLUSIONS : Excimer laser PTK appears to be a safe and promising procedure for c ases of recurrent corneal erosion refractory to medical treatment.