Combined Phototherapeutic Keratectomy and Peripheral Anterior Stromal Puncture for the Treatment of Recurrent Corneal Erosion Syndrome.
PURPOSE
To investigate the efficacy of the combined phototherapeutic keratectomy (PTK) and peripheral anterior stromal puncture (ASP) compared with that of PTK alone in patients with recurrent corneal erosion syndrome (RCES).


METHODS
The medical records of 25 patients (25 eyes) who underwent combined treatment of PTK and peripheral ASP for RCES from March 2016 to May 2017 were retrospectively reviewed. Twenty-three patients (23 eyes) treated with PTK alone from March 2015 to February 2016 served as a control group. All surgeries were performed by a single surgeon. This retrospective clinical study comprised 48 patients (48 eyes) who were followed up for more than 18 months. Clinical records of age, sex, laterality, etiology of RCES, and history of recurrence after treatment were evaluated.


RESULTS
Twenty-five eyes were treated with combined PTK and ASP, and 23 eyes were treated with PTK only. The mean follow-up period was 19.63 ± 2.97 and 19.75 ± 6.83 months, respectively. There were no differences in baseline parameters between the groups. In the combined treatment group, one patient experienced recurrence 6 months after the surgery. In the single treatment group, five patients showed recurrence at 4, 7, 8, 11, and 13 months after the surgery, respectively. Compared to the single treatment group, the combined treatment group showed significantly lower recurrence rate (p < 0.05). All recurred patients required no additional treatment except temporary therapeutic contact lenses and topical lubricants.


CONCLUSIONS
Our findings suggest that combined treatment of PTK and peripheral ASP is effective in alleviation of symptoms and prevention of recurrence in refractory RCES compared with treatment using PTK alone.
['Song|Mi Yeon|MY|', 'Chung|Jae Lim|JL|', 'Kim|Kook Young|KY|', 'Hwang|Kyu Yeon|KY|', 'Kwon|Young A|YA|', 'Song|Sang Wroul|SW|', 'Kim|Byung Yeop|BY|', 'Koh|Kyungmin|K|']
D000328:Adult D002908:Chronic Disease D003315:Cornea D003317:Corneal Dystrophies, Hereditary D005260:Female D005500:Follow-Up Studies D006801:Humans D053685:Laser Therapy D054018:Lasers, Excimer D008297:Male D018903:Photorefractive Keratectomy D011677:Punctures D012008:Recurrence D012189:Retrospective Studies D014792:Visual Acuity
Keratectomy Punctures Recurrence Cornea Laser corneal surgery