Phototherapeutic keratoectomy (PTK) after keratoconjunctivitis epidemic

Background: Persistent and recurrent nummuli after epidemic keratokonjunkti vitis (EKC) often lead to reduced Visual acuity and increased glare. in spi te of long-term topical steroid therapy nummuli often recur. We tried to tr eat persistent nummuli with phototherapeutic keratectomy (PTK). Patients: PTK with an excimer laser (193 nm) was performed in 13 eyes of 9 patients with nummuli. The nummuli were observed over 3-72 months (mean: 36 months). Preoperatively, the Visual acuity was 0.1-0.9 (mean: 0.39 +/- 0.2 2) and the brightness acuity test (BAT) was 0.05-0.5 (mean: 0.25 +/- 0.15). Prior to PTK atl eyes had been treated with local steroids several times f or recurrent nummuli. Results: During the follow-up from 15 to 56 months (mean: 33 +/- 11.5 ms), 11 eyes had an increase in visual acuity: 0.3-1.0 (mean: 0.63 +/- 0.26). Th e reduction of glare was especially beneficial for the patients: 0.3-0,9 (m ean: 0.55 +/- 0.21). One patient had a recurrence of nummuli in both eyes 6 weeks after PTK. The subjective-induced spheric refractive change was - 2. 5 D to + 2.0 D. The astigmatic error changed between - 2.0 D to + 1.5 D. Conclusion: PTK seems to be an effective method of treating persistent, rec urrent nummuli after EKC. The tow rate of recurrence of nummuli after PTK i s remarkable.