[Treatment of recurrent corneal erosion using phototherapeutic keratectomy with the excimer laser].
BACKGROUND
Recurrent corneal erosion is a common corneal disease and may be a difficult disorder to treat with a number of patients suffering persistent symptoms despite conventional therapy.


METHODS
We present a series of 32 eyes who underwent Excimer-Laser phototherapeutic keratectomy (PTK) for recurrent corneal erosion. There were 11 eyes who were treated during an acute episode of recurrent erosion. All remaining patients were treated in a symptom-free interval. The affected area of epithelium was removed and a 25 pulse ablation was performed to Bowman's membrane.


RESULTS
In 30 eyes there was a marked improvement in symptoms postoperatively with no recurrences. However, 2 eyes experienced a recurrent episode 6 days and 2 weeks after PTK, respectively. Postoperative refraction and corneal topography was unaltered in all cases.


CONCLUSIONS
Excimer-Laser PTK appears to be a safe and promising procedure for recurrent corneal erosion in cases refractory to medical treatment.
Lohmann
C P
CP
Universitäts-Augenklinik, Regensburg.
Sachs
H
H
Gabel
V P
VP
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D003315:Cornea / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D003316:Corneal Diseases / Q000601:surgery*; D065306:Corneal Injuries; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008028:Light Coagulation / Q000295:instrumentation*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000209:etiology; D012008:Recurrence; D012029:Refraction, Ocular; D014792:Visual Acuity / Q000502:physiology
Die Behandlung der rezidivierenden Erosio corneae mittels phototherapeutischer Keratektomie mit dem Excimer-Laser.