Add like
Add dislike
Add to saved papers

Long-term results of phototherapeutic keratectomy with 193-nm excimer laser for macular corneal dystrophy.

PURPOSE: To investigate functional and morphologic long-term outcome of phototherapeutic keratectomy (PTK) in macular corneal dystrophy.

DESIGN: Retrospective, clinical single-center study.

METHODS: Between October 1990 and February 2004, 10 eyes (five oculus dexter, five oculus sinister) of 6 patients (mean age, 23 +/- 8 years [range, 15 to 37 years]) with superficial plaque-like opacities that were caused by macular corneal dystrophy were included. After epithelial debridement and pannus removal, PTK was performed with the 193 nm MEL 60 excimer laser. Intended laser ablation depth varied from 20 to 100 microm; the repetition rate was 20/s or 25/s, and the pulse number was 1774 +/- 502 (range, 976 to 2422). Mean follow-up was 4.5 +/- 3.1 years [maximum, 8.7 years]). Main outcome measures included: uncorrected visual acuity, best corrected visual acuity (BCVA), spherical equivalent, keratometric central power, keratometric astigmatism and regularity (semiquantitative classification of Zeiss keratometry; scale 0 to 3), postoperative "haze," time interval until complete epithelial closure, recurrence rate, and necessity of subsequent penetrating keratoplasty (PK).

RESULTS: BCVA increased from 0.3 +/- 0.2 before the operation to 0.6 +/- 0.1 after the operation; the mean spherical equivalent increased from -0.9 +/- 1.1 diopters to -0.4 +/- 1.8 diopters. Mean keratometric central power decreased from 44.5 +/- 0.7 diopters to 42.5 +/- 0.6 diopters. During follow-up, recurrences occurred in nine eyes (90%) after 3.4 +/- 0.4 years. In six eyes, a PK was performed after an average of 5.0 years (range, 3.7 to 6.7 years). None of the transplants had a recurrence during the follow-up period.

CONCLUSION: In superficial opacities that are caused by macular corneal dystrophy, PTK can increase BCVA moderately for a limited period of time. Despite possible complications, primary PK still appears to be the definite therapeutic option for patients with macular corneal dystrophy.

Full text links

We have located links that may give you full text access.
Can't access the paper?
Try logging in through your university/institutional subscription. For a smoother one-click institutional access experience, please use our mobile app.

For the best experience, use the Read mobile app

Mobile app image

Get seemless 1-tap access through your institution/university

For the best experience, use the Read mobile app

All material on this website is protected by copyright, Copyright © 1994-2024 by WebMD LLC.
This website also contains material copyrighted by 3rd parties.

By using this service, you agree to our terms of use and privacy policy.

Your Privacy Choices Toggle icon

You can now claim free CME credits for this literature searchClaim now

Get seemless 1-tap access through your institution/university

For the best experience, use the Read mobile app