EXCIMER-LASER PHOTOTHERAPEUTIC KERATECTOMY FOR CORNEAL OPACITIES AND RECURRENT EROSION

BACKGROUND: Phototherapeutic keratectomy (PTR) has been used to treat superficial corneal opacities, as well as the recurrent corneal erosio n syndrome. METHODS: We performed PTK 6 eyes of 6 patients to treat co rneal opacities, and in one eye of another patient to treat recurrent corneal erosion syndrome. Opacities were caused by a healed corneal ul cer, herpetic keratitis, band keratopathy, corneal burn, corneal dystr ophy, and an excised pterygium. The follow-up period ranged from 2 to 6 months. RESULTS: Corneal clarity improved to variable degrees in all eyes with corneal opacities. There was no recurrence in the Recurrent Corneal Erosion Syndrome. A hyperopic shift was observed in 2 eyes. C ONCLUSIONS: PTK appears to be an effective alternative to penetrating keratoplasty in patients with selected anterior stromal opacities can treat the Recurrent Corneal Erosion Syndrome.