EXCIMER-LASER PHOTOTHERAPEUTIC KERATECTOMY FOR SHIELD ULCERS AND CORNEAL PLAQUES IN VERNAL KERATOCONJUNCTIVITIS

BACKGROUND: Shield-shaped corneal ulcers and corneal plaques in vernal keratoconjunctivitis are associated with delayed epithelial healing, as well as the risks of infectious keratitis and sterile stromal ulcer ation. Significant visual impairment due to scarring and irregular ast igmatism may result from central corneal lesions. METHODS: Three eyes with central corneal lesions resulting from vernal keratoconjunctiviti s were treated by excimer laser after active vernal keratoconjunctivit is was controlled and inflammatory plaque overlying the shield ulcers was removed. RESULTS: All three eyes showed rapid reepithelialization within 1 week. Spectacle-corrected visual acuity of 20/30 or better wa s obtained in each eye. CONCLUSIONS: In selected patients, excimer las er phototherapeutic keratectomy may be a useful adjunct in the treatme nt of shield-shaped corneal ulcers and plaques in vernal keratoconjunc tivitis.