[Treatment of recurrent corneal erosion using phototherapeutic keratectomy with the excimer laser].

BACKGROUND

Recurrent corneal erosion is a common corneal disease and may be a difficult disorder to treat with a number of patients suffering persistent symptoms despite conventional therapy.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

We present a series of 32 eyes who underwent Excimer-Laser phototherapeutic keratectomy (PTK) for recurrent corneal erosion. There were 11 eyes who were treated during an acute episode of recurrent erosion. All remaining patients were treated in a symptom-free interval. The affected area of epithelium was removed and a 25 pulse ablation was performed to Bowman's membrane.

RESULTS

In 30 eyes there was a marked improvement in symptoms postoperatively with no recurrences. However, 2 eyes experienced a recurrent episode 6 days and 2 weeks after PTK, respectively. Postoperative refraction and corneal topography was unaltered in all cases.

CONCLUSIONS

Excimer-Laser PTK appears to be a safe and promising procedure for recurrent corneal erosion in cases refractory to medical treatment.