title: Anterior stromal puncture for recurrent corneal erosion after laser in situ keratomileusis.
abstract: A 55-year-old woman had bilateral laser in situ keratomileusis (LASIK). An epithelial defect was observed in the left eye after the flap was cut. Postoperatively, the patient developed recurrent corneal erosion in the left eye related to the traumatic epithelial defect sustained during LASIK. The erosion led to secondary diffuse lamellar keratitis (DLK). Anterior stromal puncture was required to treat the erosion after conventional treatment failed. The secondary DLK resolved quickly after the erosion healed, without the need for topical corticosteroids. Anterior stromal puncture may be a useful treatment for recurrent corneal erosions that do not respond to conventional therapy.
authors.affiliation: Department of Ophthalmology, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN 38163, USA. mmalech@utmem.edu
authors.forename: Monika A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Malecha
mesh_terms: D003316:Corneal Diseases / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery*; D003319:Corneal Stroma / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D019573:Epithelium, Corneal / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D020731:Keratomileusis, Laser In Situ / Q000009:adverse effects*; D008875:Middle Aged; D011677:Punctures / Q000379:methods*; D012008:Recurrence; D014792:Visual Acuity