[New central, epithelial iron deposit following epikeratophakia in high-grade myopia]

Following epikeratophakia for the correction of myopia an epithelial iron dot was observed in the center of the lenticule as early as five months following surgery. Biomicroscopic examination of 55 cases revealed indistinct borders, a yellow to dark brown coloration and a localization in the deep epithelial layers. It was apparent in 100% of the patients one year after surgery, with no tendency to regression over a follow-up period of up to 23 months, and did not appreciably affect postoperative visual acuity. The occurrence of this iron dot is attributed to a localized pooling of tear fluid in the centrally flatter optical zone of the lenticule, since it was not seen in patients who underwent surgery for aphakia or keratoconus.