Endothelial decompensation after laser in situ keratomileusis

We report the results of laser in situ keratomileusis (LASIK) in a 58-year-old woman with a history of corneal guttata in the right eye and mild Fuchs' dystrophy in the left eye. Preoperative pachymetry was 586 microm and 656 microm, respectively. The surgical treatment was +1.50 diopters (D) in the right eye and +3.25 D in the left eye. Surgery was performed using a VISX S2 Star laser and a Hansatome microkeratome with a 9.5 mm ring. Postoperatively, edema in the right eye resolved and pachymetry returned to 585 microm, but the left cornea decompensated despite maximum medical therapy and had a final pachymetry of 779 microm. The patient was referred to our cornea service for penetrating keratoplasty, which was performed 14 months after the LASIK treatment.