CORNEAL EPITHELIAL DOTS FOLLOWING EXCIMER-LASER PHOTOREFRACTIVE KERATECTOMY

BACKGROUND: Map-dot-fingerprint epithelial changes of the cornea have been reported to occur as a consequence of trauma or surgical procedur es, such as radial keratotomy. METHODS: We describe a case of dot-like changes in the corneal epithelium following excimer laser photorefrac tive keratectomy for the correction of myopia. Because the lesions wer e located centrally, possibly reducing visual acuity, the epithelium w as removed mechanically. RESULTS: Dot-like changes recurred in the sam e areas 4 weeks after epithelial debridement. Best spectacle-corrected visual acuity improved from 20/200 to 20/100 and remained stable ther eafter. CONCLUSIONS: Photorefractive keratectomy can lead to abnormal regeneration of epithelium basement membrane, possibly resulting in do t-like changes of corneal epithelium.