The Clinical Effectiveness Of Epithelium-Off Phototherapeutic Keratectomy In The Management Of Recurrent Corneal Erosion Syndrome: Multi-Surgeon Results
Published 2025 - 43rd Congress of the ESCRS
Reference: FP11.13 | Type: Free paper | DOI: 10.82333/q7hj-7m96
Authors: Dilara Altun* 1 , Emine Esra Karaca 1 , Ozlem Evren Kemer 1
1University of Health Sciences, Ankara Bilkent City Hospital,Ankara,Türkiye
Purpose
To evaluate the clinical effectiveness of epithelium-off phototherapeutic keratectomy (PTK) in the management of recurrent corneal erosion syndrome (RCES).
Setting
Moorfields Eye Hospital, London, United Kingdom
Methods
Retrospective case series of 174 eyes undergoing PTK during a three-year period at a single unit. Fifty-seven eyes had a diagnosis of RCES following trauma, 46 eyes with atraumatic RCES, and 71 eyes with epithelial basement membrane dystrophy. 16/174 had undergone previous PTK or superficial keratectomy. Patient parameters were collected at baseline and at their most recent clinic visit. Treatment failure was defined as a major flare-up of RCES symptoms requiring visit to eye casualty or need for repeat PTK.
Results
The median age was 45.0 (range 24.00-89.00) years. The median follow-up time post-PTK treatment was 4.44 (0.20-41.29) months. Prior to PTK treatment, 93.10% of patients were on regular lubricating drops or ointment and 47.70% required a bandage contact lens application for symptom control. Following treatment, 139/174 (79.99%) experienced an improvement in their RCES symptoms, with 9/174 (5.17%) experiencing a flare-up requiring a visit to eye casualty. One case required repeat PTK treatment. Compared to baseline, there was a mean decrease of 0.02D (standard deviation 2.06) in Kmean (p=0.92), and a mean reduction of 25.97um (40.03) in central corneal thickness (p<0.0001).
Conclusions
PTK is an effective surgical treatment for persistent RCES, with 164/174 (94.25%) of cases in our cohort experiencing a resolution of symptoms.