Multifocal phototherapeutic keratectomy for the treatment of persistent epithelial defect.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the use of multifocal phototherapeutic keratectomy (PTK) for the treatment of indolent and persistent epithelial defect (PED).


METHODS
Department of Ophthalmology, Kangnam St. Mary's Hospital, The Catholic University of Korea, College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.


METHODS
Fifteen eyes diagnosed with PED were treated with Summit excimer laser PTK. In all patients (N = 15), the epithelium had previously failed to cover with at least 1 method of medical or surgical treatment. Multifocal ablations were delivered to the elevated margin surrounding the epithelial defect area using PTK with a diameter of 1.0 mm and depth of 150 to 200 pulse ablations. The mean follow-up was 17.7 months (range 9 to 37 months).


RESULTS
Complete reepithelialization occurred within 7 days in 13 eyes and within 11 days and 12 days in 1 eye each. All corneas except 1 remained healed for at least 9 months of follow-up. One eye had a recurrence 3 months after PTK and was retreated. Postoperative visual acuity improved in 8 eyes and was unaltered in 7.


CONCLUSIONS
Multifocal PTK with the 193 nm excimer laser is a safe, effective treatment for PED that is unresponsive to conventional therapy.
Kim
M S
MS
Department of Ophthalmology, Kangnam St. Mary's Hospital, The Catholic University of Korea, College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea. mskim@cmc.cuk.ac.kr
Song
S W
SW
Kim
J H
JH
Woo
H M
HM
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002455:Cell Division; D003315:Cornea / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D003316:Corneal Diseases / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D019573:Epithelium, Corneal / Q000473:pathology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D054018:Lasers, Excimer; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D018903:Photorefractive Keratectomy / Q000379:methods*; D012008:Recurrence; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D014792:Visual Acuity; D014945:Wound Healing