Abstract
Abstract: :
Purpose:To determine the method to detect previous excimer laser refractive surgery in cornea using fluorescein and blue filter of slit–lamp Methods:One hundred and ninety–six eyes of 103 cases (50 male, 53 female) including PRK (106eyes/56cases), LASIK (47 eyes /24 cases), LASEK (43 eyes /23 cases) were reviewed. Fourteen cases (20 eyes) were re–operated. Preoperative desired corrections were PRK: 7.67D (1.88–14.75), LASIK: 5.95D (1.38–10.88), LASEK: 7.26(3.00–12.75). VISX excimer laser (20/20 B. Star S2, Star S4) was used. Postoperatively, steroid eye drops were applied for 3–6 months in PRK and LASEK, and 1 week in LASIK. At periodical check–up, corneas were observed with fluorescein and blue filter of Haag–Streit slit–lamp to detect the postoperative findings of surgery. Postoperative period of detection was from 1 week to 8.3 years. Results:Ring–shaped or a part of ring–shaped dark line was observed at the edge of ablation in PRK, edge of flap in LASIK and hinge area of epithelial flap in LASEK. Dark line was observed 86.8% in PRK, 76.6% in LASIK and 48.8% in LASEK. There was no relation those factors such as sex, age, desired correction, re–operation, postoperative treatment and incidence of dark line in all 3 procedures. Conclusions:Dark line might be produced by fine irregularity (protrusion) on the surface of cornea at the edge of the wound. This method might be useful to detect the previous excimer laser refractive surgery in cornea especially in eye bank cornea.
Keywords: refractive surgery • cornea: clinical science • clinical (human) or epidemiologic studies: outcomes/complications