EXCIMER-LASER PHOTOREFRACTIVE KERATECTOMY FOR TREATMENT OF KERATOCONUS

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.