title: Sclerotic scattering illumination during phototherapeutic keratectomy for better visualization of corneal opacities.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To report on a simple method to obtain a better view of corneal opacities during excimer laser phototherapeutic keratectomy (PTK).
  
  
  METHODS
  An interventional case report.
  
  
  METHODS
  Phototherapeutic keratectomy was performed under sclerotic scattering illumination with a vitrectomy-endoilluminator at the limbus.
  
  
  RESULTS
  During conventional PTK with diffuse illumination, the intraoperative observations of corneal opacities are not as good as that with a slit lamp. Conversely, subtle corneal opacities can be easily seen with sclerotic scattering illumination even under a surgical microscope.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The use of sclerotic scattering illumination during PTK is valuable, because it provides a better view of opacified tissues and avoids excessive ablation.
authors.affiliation: Department of Ophthalmology, Osaka University Medical School, Osaka, Japan. GSP07605@nifty.com
authors.forename: Hitoshi
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Hayashi
authors.forename: Naoyuki
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Maeda
authors.forename: Yoshifumi
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Ikeda
authors.forename: Koji
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Nishida
authors.forename: Hitoshi
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Watanabe
authors.forename: Yasuo
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Tano
mesh_terms: D003318:Corneal Opacity / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000601:surgery; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D054018:Lasers, Excimer; D008027:Light; D008029:Lighting / Q000379:methods*; D008875:Middle Aged; D018903:Photorefractive Keratectomy / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D012542:Scattering, Radiation; D014792:Visual Acuity