Excimer Laser Phototherapeutic Keratectomy for Corneal Diseases
NGAMJIT KASETSUWAN, M.D.*, VILAVUN PUANGSRICHARERN, M.D.*, LALIDA PIRIY AKANOK, M.D.*
Affiliation : *Department of Ophthalmology, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkom University, Bangkok 10330, Thailand. t This study was presented at the Thailand-Japan Joint Meeting, Bangkok, January 1999.
The efficacy and safety of excimer laser phototherapeutic keratectomy (PTK) for treat-
ment of various corneal pathologies were determined. The preoperative indications included lattice
dystrophies (10 eyes), Reis-Bticklers dystrophies (4 eyes), macular dystrophies (2 eye), and corneal
scarring secondary to trauma (1 eye). Mean follow-up time was 9.9 months (range 6-18 months).
Uncorrected visual acuity postoperatively improved in 15 eyes (88.2% ); not improved in 1 eye
(5.9%) and decreased in 1 eye (5.9%). Corneal clarity improved in 14 of 17 eyes (82.4%) which
corresponded to the improvement of uncorrected visual acuity. Ocular discomfort improved in
16 eyes (94.1%), decreased in 1 eye (5.9%) which subsequently developed double vision. The
complications included delayed reepithelialization (> 7 days) in 6 eyes (35.3%) and corneal scarring
1 eye (5.9%). Sixty four per cent had increased significant hyperopia (>4 D) and 7.1 per cent had
significant induced astigmatism (>2 D). One eye (5.9%) needed retreatment due to remaining
corneal opacity. One eye (5.9%) had double vision due to irregular astigmatism. Excimer laser
PTK is effective and safe for treatment of various corneal pathologies. It thus appears to be an
alternative to penetrating keratoplasty in some patients.
Keywords : Excimer Laser, Phototherapeutic Keratectomy (PTK)
