Effectiveness of LASIK to correct refractive error after penetrating keratoplasty

OBJECTIVE: Refractive errors may invalidate the good results of penetrating keratoplasty (PK). The Authors evaluate the effectiveness of excimer laser in situ keratomileusis (LASIK) in the correction of refractive error after PK. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Four patients, a 26-year-old woman, a 54-year-old ma n, a 19-year-old man, and a 51-year-old woman, showed refractive errors: -1 1= -4.5 x 85 degrees; -8, -4.5 = -11 x 95 degrees; and -4.5 = -4 x = 120 de grees, with a clear graft at least 20 months after penetrating keratoplasty secondary to keratoconus. However, they underwent the LASIK procedure with a nasal-hinged flap of 160 mu m. No sutures were placed. RESULTS: At follow-up, 24, 18, 12, and 12 months, respectively, the graft r emained clear and the endothelial cells were unchanged. The uncorrected vis ual acuities were 20/50, 20/25, 20/50, and 20/25, respectively with an unch anged best corrected visual acuity (20/20) for all patients. No significant complications were observed. CONCLUSIONS: LASIK procedure seems to be an effective technique to correct refractive error after successful penetrating keratoplasty.