Treatment of corneal epithelial in-growth after excimer laser in situ keratomileusis.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate efficacy of photo therapeutic keratectomy (PTK) on corneal epithelial growth under the lamellar flap after excimer laser in situ keratomileusis (LASIK).


METHODS
In the 6 eyes with epithelial in-growth, the corneal cap was lifted, and the in-growing epithelium was removed from the interface. Five to 10 pulses of PTK being 7 mm in diameter were placed over the undersurface of the flap and the stromal bed, irrigation between the interface and replacing corneal flap were performed, and 50 to 75 pulses PTK being 3 mm in diameter were utilized to smooth the flap edge. The follow-up period ranged from 5 to 12 months.


RESULTS
In the follow-up, no epithelial implantation reoccurred in these 6 eyes. The uncorrected visual acuity achieved their best preoperative corrected visual acuity.


CONCLUSIONS
The results indicate that PTK can prevent recurrent epithelial in-growth after LASIK.
Du
Xinhua
X
Department of Ophthalmology, Affiliated Second Hospital, Medical College of Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310009, China (Email: hdxh@126.com)
Yang
Yabo
Y
Yao
Ke
K
Zhang
Yan
Y
Ren
Fei
F
D003315:Cornea / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D020731:Keratomileusis, Laser In Situ; D054018:Lasers, Excimer; D018903:Photorefractive Keratectomy; D013524:Surgical Flaps; D014792:Visual Acuity