title: [Phototherapeutic keratectomy. Undesirable effects, complications, and preventive strategies].
abstract: The conceptual advantage of phototherapeutic keratectomy (PTK) include the option to remove diseased tissue on a micrometer scale. Although less invasive than other forms of corneal surgery, it remains a surgical procedure which carries inherent risks. In phototherapeutic indications this risk is higher than in otherwise healthy eyes undergoing photorefractive surgery. Potential general complications include wound-healing problems, infection, inflammation, or a recurrence of the underlying disease. More specifically, PTK is associated with unwanted refractive changes, such as a hyperopic shift or an irregular astigmatism. In this review, we discuss these problems along with prevention and treatment strategies in detail.
authors.affiliation: Klinik für Augenheilkunde, Bayerische Julius-Maximilian-Universität, Josef-Schneider-Strasse 11, 97080 Würzburg. g.geerling@augenklinik.uni-wuerzburg.de
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Geerling
authors.forename: W
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Sekundo
mesh_terms: D003316:Corneal Diseases / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D054018:Lasers, Excimer; D018903:Photorefractive Keratectomy / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000379:methods*; D010789:Phototherapy / Q000009:adverse effects*; D018570:Risk Assessment / Q000379:methods; D012307:Risk Factors