title: Excimer laser phototherapeutic keratectomy for corneal opacities and recurrent erosion.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Phototherapeutic keratectomy (PTK) has been used to treat superficial corneal opacities, as well as the recurrent corneal erosion syndrome.
  
  
  METHODS
  We performed PTK 6 eyes of 6 patients to treat corneal opacities, and in one eye of another patient to treat recurrent corneal erosion syndrome. Opacities were caused by a healed corneal ulcer, herpetic keratitis, band keratopathy, corneal burn, corneal dystrophy, and an excised pterygium. The follow-up period ranged from 2 to 6 months.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Corneal clarity improved to variable degrees in all eyes with corneal opacities. There was no recurrence in the Recurrent Corneal Erosion Syndrome. A hyperopic shift was observed in 2 eyes.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  PTK appears to be an effective alternative to penetrating keratoplasty in patients with selected anterior stromal opacities can treat the Recurrent Corneal Erosion Syndrome.
authors.affiliation: Vardinoyannion Eye Institute of Crete, Greece.
authors.forename: V P
authors.initials: VP
authors.lastname: Kozobolis
authors.forename: D S
authors.initials: DS
authors.lastname: Siganos
authors.forename: G S
authors.initials: GS
authors.lastname: Meladakis
authors.forename: I G
authors.initials: IG
authors.lastname: Pallikaris
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002648:Child; D003318:Corneal Opacity / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery*; D003320:Corneal Ulcer / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D054018:Lasers, Excimer; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D018903:Photorefractive Keratectomy; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery; D012008:Recurrence; D012029:Refraction, Ocular; D012086:Reoperation; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014792:Visual Acuity / Q000502:physiology