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Excimer laser surgery for keratoconus
J Mortensen1, K Carlsson, A Ohrström
1Department of Ophthalmology, County Council Hospital, Jönköping, Sweden.
Purpose:
To determine whether there is increased risk associated with excimer laser surgery of primary keratoconus.
Setting:
Department of Ophthalmology, County Council Hospital, Ryhov, Jönköping, Sweden.
Methods:
Twenty-four eyes in 23 patients with keratoconus had photorefractive keratectomy (PRK) to reduce the steepness of the cone. A VISX Twenty-Twenty B laser (193 nm) was used for the treatments. Spherical ablations, cylindrical ablations, or both were used. Patients were followed for a mean of 22 months (range 6 to 46 months).
Results:
Fourteen patients (58%) had improved visual acuity. Eleven (46%) could manage with only spectacles, and three (13%) were fitted with contact lenses to get adequate visual function. All treated corneas healed, and no acceleration of the keratoconus was seen.
Conclusion:
No increased risk was associated with treating primary keratoconus with excimer laser PRK. We found that excimer laser surgery can improve vision and the ability to wear contact lenses, and it did not interfere with subsequent corneal transplantation surgery.