Phototherapeutic keratectomy versus alcohol epitheliectomy with mechanical debridement for superficial variant of granular dystrophy: a paired eye comparison.
OBJECTIVE
To compare outcome of phototherapeutic keratectomy (PTK) and alcohol epitheliectomy with mechanical debridement for superficial variant of granular dystrophy.


METHODS
Case report. A 7 year old girl with superficial variant of granular dystrophy with an visual acuity of 20/70 both eyes, underwent a simultaneous PTK in right eye (OD) and alcohol epitheliectomy with mechanical debridement in left eye (OS). Post operatively the visual acuity, refraction and corneal clarity were assessed.


RESULTS
On the first post-operative day uncorrected visual acuity was 20/50 in both eyes. At 2 weeks, vision improved to 20/40 with +2.50 -2.00×180 in OD and +1.50 -1.50×180 in OS. At 2 years, vision and refraction were 20/25 with +2.50 -2.00×180 in OD and 20/25 with +1.25 -1.50×170 OS respectively. There was early recurrence of the granular dystrophy.


CONCLUSIONS
The visual outcomes of both PTK and alcohol epitheliectomy are similar for superficial variant of granular dystrophy. The hyperopic shift with PTK is a matter of concern. Alcohol epitheliectomy can be used in treatment of superficial corneal dystrophies where PTK is unavailable.
Cornea and Anterior Segment Service, LV Prasad Eye Institute, Kallam Anji Reddy Campus, Hyderabad, India.
Jatin N
JN
Ashar
Madhavi
M
Latha
Pravin K
PK
Vaddavalli
D002648:Child; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D003317:Corneal Dystrophies, Hereditary / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000628:therapy*; D003646:Debridement / Q000379:methods*; D000431:Ethanol / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D049008:Keratectomy, Subepithelial, Laser-Assisted / Q000379:methods*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D000431:Ethanol