title: Corneal Densitometry as a Tool to Measure Epithelial Ingrowth After Laser In Situ Keratomileusis.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This study evaluates the correlation between corneal densitometry and epithelial ingrowth (EI) after laser in situ keratomileusis (LASIK).
  
  
  METHODS
  Corneal densitometry of 3 patients who developed EI after LASIK was measured with the Oculus Pentacam. Corneal densitometry readings of each patient were obtained preoperatively and postoperatively after ingrowth was discovered. Densitometry was recorded at the central nest of opacity and at the leading edges of EI.
  
  
  RESULTS
  For all patients, the most severe stages of EI observed on slit-lamp photographs correlated with the highest densitometry readings, with peak densitometry ranging from 73.3 to 95.1. These values were much higher than preoperative densitometry readings, which ranged from 21.8 to 27.2. In 2 cases, the Pentacam densitometry map revealed progression of EI toward the visual axis that was only faintly detectable or not detectable at all on the corresponding slit-lamp photographs.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Corneal densitometry seems to be an objective measure of the severity and progression of EI after LASIK.
authors.affiliation: *Boston Eye Group, Boston, MA; †Boston University, Boston, MA; ‡Notre Dame Hospital, Montreal, QC, Canada; §Jamaica Hospital Medical Center, Jamaica, NY; and ¶Massachusetts Eye & Ear Infirmary, Boston, MA.
authors.forename: Daniel
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Adran
authors.forename: Louis
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Vaillancourt
authors.forename: Mona
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Harissi-Dagher
authors.forename: Jonathan N
authors.initials: JN
authors.lastname: Kruh
authors.forename: Zeba A
authors.initials: ZA
authors.lastname: Syed
authors.forename: Steven
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Robinson
authors.forename: Samir
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Melki
mesh_terms: D003316:Corneal Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology; D063171:Corneal Pachymetry; D003720:Densitometry; D019573:Epithelium, Corneal / Q000473:pathology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D020731:Keratomileusis, Laser In Situ / Q000009:adverse effects*; D054018:Lasers, Excimer; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010781:Photography / Q000379:methods; D054140:Refractive Surgical Procedures; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D014792:Visual Acuity / Q000502:physiology; D055815:Young Adult