Abstract
Purpose :
To describe the corneal characteristics, management, and visual outcomes of patients who developed Salzmann Nodular Degeneration (SND) following laser in situ keratomileusis (LASIK).
Methods :
A retrospective review of patients with a history of LASIK who were diagnosed with SND in the same eye between 2011-2017 are included. Nodular characteristics, demographics, age at time of LASIK and at SND diagnosis, intervention, pre- and post- intervention visual acuity and pre- and post- intervention spherical equivalent data were collected.
Results :
Sixteen eyes from 10 patients met criteria and were analyzed. Average follow-up time was 6.2 (standard deviation (SD) =8.9) months. 43.8% of nodules were central while the rest were peripheral. Of the 16 eyes, 11 eyes required surgical intervention: superficial keratectomy (SK) alone in 2 eyes and SK followed by phototherapeutic keratectomy (PTK) with mitomycin C (MMC) in 9 eyes. 5 eyes required no surgical intervention. In the 11 eyes that required surgical intervention there was a significant improvement in mean best corrected visual acuity at 1, 6, and 24 months postoperatively and a significant decrease in mean spherical equivalent at 6 and 24 months. No postoperative complications including epithelial ingrowth or other flap complications were observed. No recurrences during the follow-up period were noted.
Conclusions :
SND is a rare disorder that can present post-LASIK. Post-LASIK SND can be treated similarly to de novo SND with superficial keratectomy with or without PTK without an increased risk of complications.
This abstract was presented at the 2023 ARVO Annual Meeting, held in New Orleans, LA, April 23-27, 2023.