Phototherapeutic Keratectomy: Long-Term Results in 166 Eyes

Abstract

One hundred sixty-six eyes with corneal disease were treated with the excimer laser in order to ablate opacities, irregularities, or to improve wound healing. Postoperative follow up time was 15 months (range 6 to 28 months). An individual goal was set for each patient and 84% achieved the goal. The visual acuity change is given for each subgroup. Phototherapeutic keratectomy (PTK) was shown to be an advantageous surgical method, where the success is in the careful preoperative evaluation. One problem with the technique is the induced hyperopia. (Refract Corneal Surg (suppl) 1993;9:S76-S81.)

Safety and Efficacy of the Phototherapeutic Keratectomy for Treatment of Recurrent Corneal Erosions: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

“…But most complications were completely reversible during follow-up, and only a minority resulted in a permanent corneal haze. Nine studies [11, 19‒24, 28, 30] reported spherical equivalent manifest refraction change after PTK (Fig. 8), among which 5 publications [11, 21‒24] indicated a slight trend toward mild hyperopia with an overall incidence of 20% (95% CI, 11%–28%), while other four studies reported no significant change in apparent refraction after PTK.…”

“…After eliminating nonrelevant articles by title and abstract screening, 71 articles were included for full-text screening. Twenty-one studies were included in our qualitative and quantitative analyses [11‒14, 16‒30], including 4 controlled experiments and 17 single-arm experiments. The intervention method was PTK, and the control was DB [5], PTK + peripheral anterior stromal puncture (ASP) [12], ED + ASP and ED + DB [11], or alcohol delamination [15].…”

“…Pooled recurrence rate after PTK. [16][17][18][19][20][21][22][23][24][25][26][27][28][29][30], including 4 controlled experiments and 17 singlearm experiments. The intervention method was PTK, and the control was DB [5], PTK + peripheral anterior stromal puncture (ASP) [12], ED + ASP and ED + DB [11], or alcohol delamination [15].…”

Topography-Guided Transepithelial Photorefractive Keratectomy for the Treatment of Persistent and Visually-Significant Adenoviral Corneal Infiltrates

“…14 Previous studies have evaluated the safety and efficacy of excimer laser PTK for the treatment of anterior corneal opacities and surface irregularities. [15][16][17] Excimer laser PTK has been used to treat persistent adenoviral subepithelial corneal opacities with positive results. The 193nm Argon-Fluoride laser photochemically breaks intermolecular bonds, expelling corneal tissue in a controlled manner without causing collateral thermal damage.…”

“…Previous studies also reported some degree of induced hyperopia of about 1.52D as measured 12 months post-op. 17 Stark et al have described great variability in the refractive changes following stromal ablations greater than 85μm. 18 A thinner ablation induces a smaller hyperopic shift.…”