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Laser in situ keratomileusis-induced neurotrophic epitheliopathy
1Department of Ophthalmology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA. sewilson@u.washington.edu
Purpose:
To report two cases of laser in situ keratomileusis-induced neurotrophic epitheliopathy with punctate epitheliopathy and rose bengal staining of the corneal flap.
Methods:
Interventional case reports.
Results:
A 42-year-old woman and a 37-year-old man with no preoperative symptoms or signs of dry eye developed dry eye symptoms and bilateral punctate epithelial erosions as well as rose bengal staining of the corneal flaps after laser in situ keratomileusis. Neither patient had less than 12 mm of wetting with the Schirmer test without anesthesia at any time point between development and resolution of the flap surface abnormalities. The flap surface abnormalities resolved approximately 6 months after laser in situ keratomileusis.
Conclusions:
Laser in situ keratomileusis-induced neurotrophic epitheliopathy may be attributable to loss of trophic influence from severed corneal nerve trunks. The condition typically resolves approximately 6 months after laser in situ keratomileusis or laser in situ keratomileusis retreatment.