[Phototherapeutic keratectomy (PTK) after epidemic keratoconjunctivitis].
BACKGROUND
Persistent and recurrent nummuli after epidemic keratokonjunktivitis (EKC) often lead to reduced visual acuity and increased glare. In spite of long-term topical steroid therapy nummuli often recur. We tried to treat persistent nummuli with phototherapeutic keratectomy (PTK).


METHODS
PTK with an excimer laser (193 nm) was performed in 13 eyes of 9 patients with nummuli. The nummuli were observed over 3-72 months (mean: 36 months). Preoperatively, the visual acuity was 0.1-0.9 (mean: 0.39 +/- 0.22) and the brightness acuity test (BAT) was 0.05-0.5 (mean: 0.25 +/- 0.15). Prior to PTK all eyes had been treated with local steroids several times for recurrent nummuli.


RESULTS
During the follow-up from 15 to 56 months (mean: 33 +/- 11.5 ms), 11 eyes had an increase in visual acuity: 0.3-1.0 (mean: 0.63 +/- 0.26). The reduction of glare was especially beneficial for the patients: 0.3-0.9 (mean: 0.55 +/- 0.21). One patient had a recurrence of nummuli in both eyes 6 weeks after PTK. The subjective-induced spheric refractive change was -2.5 D to +2.0 D. The astigmatic error changed between -2.0 D to +1.5 D.


CONCLUSIONS
PTK seems to be an effective method of treating persistent, recurrent nummuli after EKC. The low rate of recurrence of nummuli after PTK is remarkable.
Quentin
C D
CD
Universitäts-Augenklinik, Göttingen.
Tondrow
M
M
Vogel
M
M
D000258:Adenovirus Infections, Human / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000601:surgery*; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007637:Keratoconjunctivitis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000601:surgery*; D054018:Lasers, Excimer; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D018903:Photorefractive Keratectomy; D012008:Recurrence; D012086:Reoperation; D014792:Visual Acuity / Q000502:physiology