Corneal edema and haze after selective laser trabeculoplasty

To report 2 cases of corneal edema, haze, and thinning in patients after undergoing selective laser trabeculopasty.

Selective laser trabeculoplasty was performed for the treatment of primary open-angle glaucoma on 2 patients who subsequently developed corneal stromal haze within 24 to 48 hours of the procedure.

The patients were treated with topical steroids for several weeks. Although their corneal edema resolved, both patients were left with residual corneal scarring and thinning. One patient had a significant hyperopic shift.

Corneal edema, haze, and thinning after selective laser trabeculoplasty is an extremely rare event, with only 2 other cases reported in the literature. Although certain causes are postulated to play a role in this complication, it is not yet understood what may predispose a patient to corneal changes as a result of this laser procedure.