Purpose:
A case series report of Phototherapeutic Keratectomy ( PTK)for elevated subepithelial nodules in patients with keratoconuswho are contact lens intolerant
Methods:
A retrospective chart review of 4 consecutive cases. All patientswere contact lens intolerant and underwent PTK and followedfor an average of 43 months.
Results:
All four cases were successful in returning to full time contactlens wear (over 8 hours a day). Follow up averaged 43 months( range 36-54). The earliest treated case had, at 36 monthspost treatment, a reoccurrence of an elevated subepithelialnodule and again became contact lens intolerant including toa piggyback and Hybrid design. A second PTK was performed onthis earliest case and he was able to return to full time contactlens wear with his unchanged rigid contact lens for over 19months now. The remaining three cases continue to wear theirrigid contact lenses full time with no reoccurrences.
Conclusions:
This series of four cases of contact lens intolerant keratoconuspatients with elevated subepithelial nodules, demonstrated thatPTK is an effective option, in this group, to successfully returnto rigid contact lens wear.
Keywords: keratoconus • contact lens • refractive surgery: PRK