J. Mortensen et A. Ohrstrom, EXCIMER-LASER PHOTOREFRACTIVE KERATECTOMY FOR TREATMENT OF KERATOCONUS, Journal of refractive and corneal surgery, 10(3), 1994, pp. 368-372
BACKGROUND: Five eyes with keratoconus that were scheduled for penetra
ting keratoplasty were treated instead with excimer laser photorefract
ive keratectomy to reduce the steepness of the cone. The follow up aft
er 6 to 12 months is reported here. METHODS: A 193-nanometer excimer l
aser system VISX 20/20 was used for correction of myopia or astigmatis
m. The patients had a complete ophthalmological examination including
slit-lamp microscopy and videokeratography. The patients were followed
with six examinations during a period of at least 6 months. RESULTS:
In four eyes, a reduction of the astigmatism was achieved with an incr
ease of visual acuity. There were no problems with wound healing or an
y signs that the excimer adversely affected the cornea or activated th
e keratoconus disease process. CONCLUSION: The treatment of keratoconu
s with excimer laser has been regarded as seriously contraindicated on
a speculative basis. This risk seems to be exaggerated.