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Sclerotic scattering illumination during phototherapeutic keratectomy for better visualization of corneal opacities
Hitoshi Hayashi1, Naoyuki Maeda, Yoshifumi Ikeda
1Department of Ophthalmology, Osaka University Medical School, Osaka, Japan. GSP07605@nifty.com
Purpose:
To report on a simple method to obtain a better view of corneal opacities during excimer laser phototherapeutic keratectomy (PTK).
Design:
An interventional case report.
Methods:
Phototherapeutic keratectomy was performed under sclerotic scattering illumination with a vitrectomy-endoilluminator at the limbus.
Results:
During conventional PTK with diffuse illumination, the intraoperative observations of corneal opacities are not as good as that with a slit lamp. Conversely, subtle corneal opacities can be easily seen with sclerotic scattering illumination even under a surgical microscope.
Conclusions:
The use of sclerotic scattering illumination during PTK is valuable, because it provides a better view of opacified tissues and avoids excessive ablation.
