Toxic peripheral keratopathy: a syndrome in laser refractive surgery

This retrospective observational case series describes a clinical syndrome in laser refractive surgery. Five eyes of 4 patients with noninflammatory peripheral corneal opacification in the period immediately after photorefractive keratectomy or laser in situ keratomileusis were identified and the charts abstracted. Peripheral stromal opacification, localized corneal thinning, irregular astigmatism leading to a decrease in corrected visual acuity, and gradual clearing were characteristic findings. Gradual clearing occurred without treatment in all eyes over a period of 2 weeks to 12 months. This syndrome has similarities to central toxic keratopathy but occurs in the peripheral cornea. We refer to the syndrome as toxic peripheral keratopathy, the cause of which is unknown.