Phototherapeutic LASEK for a persistent epithelial defect and a recurrent epithelial erosion
JOURNAL OF REFRACTIVE SURGERY, cilt.21, sa.4, ss.406-407, 2005 (SCI-Expanded, Scopus)
- Yayın Türü: Makale / Tam Makale
- Cilt numarası: 21 Sayı: 4
- Basım Tarihi: 2005
- Doi Numarası: 10.3928/1081-597x-20050701-20
- Dergi Adı: JOURNAL OF REFRACTIVE SURGERY
- Derginin Tarandığı İndeksler: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Scopus
- Sayfa Sayıları: ss.406-407
- Gazi Üniversitesi Adresli: Evet
Özet
PURPOSE: To present two patients, one with persistent epithelial defect and one with recurrent epithelial erosion, unresponsive to conventional therapy treated with phototherapeutic keratectomy (PTK) with the laser subepithelial keratomileusis (LASEK) technique (phototherapeutic LASEK). METHODS: The epithelial flap was created following 18% ethanol application for 20 seconds. A 10-mu m deep ablation was performed in the central 7.0-mm zone. A contact lens was placed and the patient examined daily until epithelial closure. Upon epithelial closure, the contact lens was removed. A mild topical steroid and artificial tears were applied for 2 weeks. RESULTS: The epithelium healed in 4 days in both patients. Patients reported only mild pain until epithelial closure. The manifest refraction and uncorrected visual acuity remained unchanged in both eyes. No haze was noted. The, first patient has remained asymptomatic without any recurrence for 12 months, and the second for 9 months. CONCLUSIONS: Phototherapeutic LASEK provides a therapeutic option for refractory recurrent erosions and persistent epithelial defects, with the additional benefit of being less painful and less risky for haze development than conventional PTK.