Effectiveness of LASIK to correct refractive error after penetrating keratoplasty.
OBJECTIVE
Refractive errors may invalidate the good results of penetrating keratoplasty (PK). The Authors evaluate the effectiveness of excimer laser in situ keratomileusis (LASIK) in the correction of refractive error after PK.


METHODS
Four patients, a 26-year-old woman, a 54-year-old man, a 19-year-old man, and a 51-year-old woman, showed refractive errors: -11 = -4.5 x 85 ; -8, -4.5 = -11 x 95 ; and -4.5 = -4 x = 1200, with a clear graft at least 20 months after penetrating keratoplasty secondary to keratoconus. However, they underwent the LASIK procedure with a nasal-hinged flap of 160 um. No sutures were placed.


RESULTS
At follow-up, 24, 18, 12, and 12 months, respectively, the graft remained clear and the endothelial cells were unchanged. The uncorrected visual acuities were 20/50, 20/25, 20/50, and 20/25, respectively with an unchanged best corrected visual acuity (20/20) for all patients. No significant complications were observed.


CONCLUSIONS
LASIK procedure seems to be an effective technique to correct refractive error after successful penetrating keratoplasty.
Spadea
L
L
Department of Ophthalmology, University of L'Aquila, Italy.
Mosca
L
L
Balestrazzi
E
E
D000328:Adult; D002452:Cell Count; D003315:Cornea / Q000601:surgery*; D019781:Corneal Topography; D004728:Endothelium, Corneal / Q000166:cytology; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007640:Keratoconus / Q000601:surgery*; D020731:Keratomileusis, Laser In Situ; D015948:Keratoplasty, Penetrating / Q000009:adverse effects*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012030:Refractive Errors / Q000209:etiology; D054140:Refractive Surgical Procedures; D014792:Visual Acuity