Inflammation-related scarring after photorefractive keratectomy.
OBJECTIVE
To study two cases of corneal scarring due to trauma (one case) and infection (one case) unrelated to a previous photorefractive keratectomy (PRK) for the correction of myopia.


METHODS
The patients are part of an Institutional Review Board-approved study of the safety and efficacy of PRK. Both patients underwent bilateral, nonsimultaneous corneal ablation based on preoperative spherical equivalent.


RESULTS
Seven months after PRK, the first patient sustained an alkali burn in one eye that caused severe corneal scarring and myopic regression. The other patient developed bilateral keratoconjunctivitis, more intense in the right eye (1 month after the operation) than in the left eye (4 months after the operation). This right eye subsequently developed diffuse scarring and loss of visual acuity.


CONCLUSIONS
Patients who have undergone PRK may develop severe corneal scarring after relatively mild ocular traumas or infections.
Campos
M
M
Department of Ophthalmology, Federal University of São Paulo, Paulista School of Medicine, Brazil. mcampos@pobox.com
Takahashi
R
R
Tanaka
H
H
Chamon
W
W
Allemann
N
N
D000258:Adenovirus Infections, Human / Q000150:complications* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000473:pathology; D000328:Adult; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002057:Burns, Chemical / Q000150:complications* / Q000188:drug therapy; D017610:Calcium Compounds / Q000009:adverse effects; D003318:Corneal Opacity / Q000209:etiology* / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D005126:Eye Burns / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000188:drug therapy; D015828:Eye Infections, Viral / Q000150:complications* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000473:pathology; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007637:Keratoconjunctivitis / Q000150:complications* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000473:pathology; D054018:Lasers, Excimer; D008297:Male; D009883:Ophthalmic Solutions; D010087:Oxides / Q000009:adverse effects; D018903:Photorefractive Keratectomy; D011446:Prospective Studies; D014792:Visual Acuity
D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D017610:Calcium Compounds; D009883:Ophthalmic Solutions; D010087:Oxides; C016538:lime