title: Corneal iron line associated with steep central islands after photorefractive keratectomy.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To report a new corneal iron deposit after excimer laser photorefractive keratectomy (PRK).
  
  
  METHODS
  Two patients with symptomatic persistent steep central islands were noted to have a corneal iron ring at 6 months to 1 year after surgery. This is different from the central iron spot noted in most patients at 1 year.
  
  
  RESULTS
  One patient had repeated PRK with improvement of his symptoms and resolution of the iron ring.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  A corneal iron ring after excimer laser PRK suggests the presence of a persistent steep central island of stromal origin. Since corneal iron deposition signifies chronicity, symptomatic patients should be retreated as resolution of the steep central island is not likely to occur.
authors.affiliation: Department of Ophthalmology, Technical University, Dresden, Germany.
authors.forename: R R
authors.initials: RR
authors.lastname: Krueger
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Tersi
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Seiler
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D003315:Cornea / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery; D003316:Corneal Diseases / Q000209:etiology* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted; D007501:Iron / Q000378:metabolism*; D054018:Lasers, Excimer; D008297:Male; D009216:Myopia / Q000601:surgery; D018903:Photorefractive Keratectomy / Q000009:adverse effects*; D010859:Pigmentation Disorders / Q000209:etiology* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D012086:Reoperation
chemical_list: D007501:Iron