Central bump-like opacity as a complication of high hyperopic photorefractive keratectomy.
OBJECTIVE
A new complication is reported in association with high hyperopic excimer laser photorefractive keratectomy.


METHODS
One thousand consecutive eyes were treated with a Meditec MEL-60 excimer laser (Meditec Inc, Heroldsberg, Germany) for hyperopic refractive error between +1 diopters and +7 diopters.


RESULTS
Three eyes with high hyperopic corrections between +5 and +6 diopters had a central, round bump-like subepithelial scar develop 1 month after hyperopic photorefractive keratectomy, which reduced the uncorrected and spectacle-corrected visual acuity.


CONCLUSIONS
Central bump-like opacity is a new, visually significant complication of unknown origin associated with high hyperopic photorefractive keratectomy. Possible causes of this complication include drying and edema of the cornea as a result of prolonged exposure, interruption of the peripheral superficial nerve plexus affecting the central anterior stroma, and abnormal epithelial or tear film function resulting from excessive central steeping.
Nagy
Z Z
ZZ
First Department of Ophthalmology, Semmelweiss Medical University, Budapest, Hungary.
Krueger
R R
RR
Süveges
I
I
D000328:Adult; D002921:Cicatrix / Q000209:etiology* / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology; D003316:Corneal Diseases / Q000209:etiology* / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology; D019781:Corneal Topography; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006956:Hyperopia / Q000150:complications; D054018:Lasers, Excimer; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D018903:Photorefractive Keratectomy / Q000009:adverse effects*; D012030:Refractive Errors / Q000209:etiology; D054140:Refractive Surgical Procedures; D014792:Visual Acuity