Keratolysis following excimer laser phototherapeutic keratectomy in a patient with keratoconus.
OBJECTIVE
We report a case of keratolysis following phototherapeutic keratectomy (PTK) for a subepithelial nodule in a patient with keratoconus.


METHODS
A 29-year-old male with keratoconus who became contact lens intolerant because of a raised subepithelial nodule was treated with excimer laser phototherapeutic keratectomy (PTK).


RESULTS
The epithelium failed to heal postoperatively, and progressive keratolysis led to a central descemetocele by the eighth postoperative day. The patient was managed with a penetrating keratoplasty.


CONCLUSIONS
Excimer laser phototherapeutic keratectomy has been shown to be an effective treatment for subepithelial nodules in patients with keratoconus. Rapidly progressive keratolysis is a potential complication of this procedure.
Lahners
W J
WJ
Department of Ophthalmology, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA.
Russell
B
B
Grossniklaus
H E
HE
Stulting
R D
RD
D000328:Adult; D003316:Corneal Diseases / Q000209:etiology* / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D003886:Descemet Membrane / Q000473:pathology*; D006801:Humans; D006984:Hypertrophy; D007640:Keratoconus / Q000601:surgery*; D015948:Keratoplasty, Penetrating; D054018:Lasers, Excimer; D008297:Male; D018903:Photorefractive Keratectomy / Q000009:adverse effects*; D011183:Postoperative Complications