Abstract:AIM: To evaluate the morphological and functional outcomes of earlier excimer laser phototherapeutic keratectomy (PTK) for treatment of recurrent corneal erosion (RCE). · METHODS: A total of 25 eyes of 23 patients with RCE were enrolled in a prospective non-randomized consecutive study. In all cases, RCEs were unresponsive to conventional treatment methods. No one had experienced stromal puncture or tried contact lens previously. After complete ophthalmologic examination, central excimer laser PTK with ablation depth of 10μm and optical zones of 4-8 mm was performed. Uncorrected visual acuity (UCVA), best corrected visual acuity (BCVA), spherical equivalents (SE) and refractive cylinder (RC) were compared before and after phototherapeutic keratectomy. · RESULTS: Previously 2 patients had undergone epithelial scraping. Duration of disease ranged from 2 months to 3 years prior to PTK (mean=9.3 months). The mean follow-up time was 10.1±5.5 months (4.2-19.2 months). Success rate after PTK, regarding prevention of recurrence was 96% when they were under follow-up. BCVA was also increased from 0.69±0.30 to 0.90±0.23 (P <0.001). Mean SE remained constant with values of 0.41±1.67D preoperatively and 0.35?.63D postoperatively (P =0.26). Mean RC was also improved from -1.22±0.90D preoperatively to -0.57±0.57D postoper- atively (P <0.001). · CONCLUSION: PTK using 193nm excimer laser is an effective and safe choice of treatment for a fast epithelial closure, an increase of visual acuity and alleviating symptoms in most patients with RCE in earlier course of the disease.
