title: Keratolysis following excimer laser phototherapeutic keratectomy in a patient with keratoconus.
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: Department of Ophthalmology, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA.
authors.forename: W J
authors.initials: WJ
authors.lastname: Lahners
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Russell
authors.forename: H E
authors.initials: HE
authors.lastname: Grossniklaus
authors.forename: R D
authors.initials: RD
authors.lastname: Stulting
mesh_terms: 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