Abstract
Purpose::
To report the outcome of phototherapeutic keratectomy (PTK) in the management of band keratopathy (BK).
Methods::
Medical charts of 98 eyes of 68 patients who underwent PTK for BK between May 1995 and April 2005 were reviewed. Mean postoperative period was 35.9 months. Data including preoperative and postoperative best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), cylinder and spherical equivalent (SE), depth of ablation, incidence of recurrence and complications were analyzed.
Results::
Postoperative BCVA improved 2 lines or better in 33 eyes (33.7%), unchanged in 43 eyes (43.9%), or decreased in 22 eyes (22.4%). Recurrence was observed in 16 eyes (16.7%) and retreatments were required in 2 eyes (2.0%). Mean postoperative period of recurrence was 35.9 months postoperatively. Mean preoperative cylinder increased from 0.84D to 1.47D and an increase of astigmatism over 0.5D were found in 32 eyes (54.2%). Mean change of SE was -0.04D and correlated with ablation depth (r2=0.34 P<0.001). Turning point between hyperopic shift or myopic shift after surgery was 83.8µm in depth of ablation.
Conclusions::
PTK is a simple and effective procedure as the treatment for BK, although refraction changes postoperatively. Recurrence could occur, however was not visually significant immediately.
Keywords: cornea: clinical science • laser • refractive surgery