Phototherapeutic keratectomy with an epithelial flap for recurrent erosion syndrome

Phototherapeutic keratectomy (PTK) is an acceptable technique to treat recurrent erosion syndrome. Its disadvantage is postoperative pain. We present a modified technique to reduce the immediate pain from removal of the epithelium after PTK. Nine patients with recurrent erosion syndrome had PTK with epithelial reflap (similar to laser-assisted subepithelial keratectomy) and contact lens application. The follow-up was 6 months. No patient reported severe postoperative pain. Three of 9 patients reported mild pain during the first 24 hours postoperatively. The best spectacle-corrected visual acuity was 0.40 to 0.63 logMAR on the first postoperative day and 0.80 to 1.00 logMAR after a week. No patient developed recurrent erosion.