title: Combination of transepithelial phototherapeutic keratectomy and autologous serum eyedrops for treatment of recurrent corneal erosions.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the clinical outcomes after transepithelial phototherapeutic keratectomy (t-PTK) using an excimer laser and postoperative administration of autologous serum eyedrops.
  
  
  METHODS
  Department of Ophthalmology, Ruprecht-Karls-University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany.
  
  
  METHODS
  Twenty-five eyes of 25 patients with 3 to 12 recurrent corneal erosions were treated with t-PTK using the Schwind Keratom broad-beam excimer laser (Schwind). Routine therapy consisted of 2 pulses x 40 pulses (18.82 +/- 2.56 mum ablation). Postoperatively, autologous serum eyedrops were administered 6 times a day for 6 weeks. Postoperative outcomes and rate of recurrent erosions were evaluated.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The median of the follow-up after t-PTK was 15.5 months (range 6 to 20 months), and the mean age of the patients was 40.6 years +/- 12.0 (SD). Twenty of 25 eyes (80%) recovered without further corneal erosion. Five eyes had 1 further erosion, which was treatable in 4 cases with autologous serum eyedrops without additional excimer laser treatment. One patient requested additional t-PTK treatment and recovered without further complications thereafter.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Transepithelial phototherapeutic keratectomy is a safe and effective therapy for recurrent corneal erosions. Additional treatment with autologous serum eyedrops can support the healing process following corneal erosions and t-PTK and can be given as a long-term artificial tear treatment.
authors.affiliation: Heidelberg IOL and Refractive Surgery Research Group, Department of Ophthalmology, Ruprecht-Karls-University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany.
authors.forename: Mike P
authors.initials: MP
authors.lastname: Holzer
authors.forename: Gerd U
authors.initials: GU
authors.lastname: Auffarth
authors.forename: Holger
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Specht
authors.forename: Friedrich E
authors.initials: FE
authors.lastname: Kruse
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001798:Blood Proteins / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D003316:Corneal Diseases / Q000628:therapy*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D054018:Lasers, Excimer; D008297:Male; D009883:Ophthalmic Solutions / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D018903:Photorefractive Keratectomy / Q000379:methods*; D012008:Recurrence; D044967:Serum; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D001798:Blood Proteins; D009883:Ophthalmic Solutions