Astigmatism after corneal thermal injury

A 42-year-old woman developed significant astigmatism after localized therm al injury to the cornea during a cosmetic eyelid procedure. The induced ast igmatism regressed substantially over the ensuing months. One year after th e injury, astigmatic keratotomy (AK) was performed, further reducing the as tigmatism and improving the patient's subjective vision. Patients with indu ced astigmatism from thermal corneal injury should be monitored for regress ion. When refractive stability is achieved, AK can reduce the remaining ast igmatism. This case reviews concepts that apply to refractive thermal kerat oplasty.