PHOTOTHERAPEUTIC KERATECTOMY IN RECURRENT CORNEAL EPITHELIAL EROSION

BACKGROUND: Excimer laser phototherapeutic keratectomy has generated c onsiderable interest in treating superficial corneal and scleral patho logy. The excimer laser is also used to treat recurrent corneal epithe lial erosions. METHODS: With the MEL 50 Aesculap-Meditec 193-nanometer argon-fluoride excimer laser, we treated 74 eyes of 73 individuals, w ho suffered from posttraumatic, therapy-resistant, recurrent corneal e pithelial erosions. We used the excimer laser in spot-mode under manua l guidance. Only in those eyes where the erosion was covered with loos e bullous epithelium did we remove the epithelium mechanically prior t o surgery. The postoperative follow-up period ranged from 6 months to 4 years. RESULTS: Of the 74 eyes, 55 (74.43%) eyes were recurrence-fre e. One eye developed superficial haze in the treated area. No other co mplications occurred. CONCLUSION: Phototherapeutic keratectomy in recu rrent epithelial erosions is a promising treatment, especially in reca lcitrant cases with the erosion over the entrance pupil. Photoablation allows a fast reepithelialization of the affected area and quick reli ef for painful symptoms.