Corneal Ectasia after Photorefractive Keratectomy for Low Myopia

Received 18 April 2005; accepted 15 November 2005.

Objective

To alert ophthalmologists of the possibility of an aggravation of forme fruste keratoconus after photorefractive keratectomy (PRK).

Design

Clinical case report.

Intervention

Standard bilateral PRK for low myopia.

Main Outcome Measures

Corneal topography, corneal thickness, and visual acuity.

Results

Corneal ectasia occurred bilaterally after PRK. Retrospective analysis of preoperative videokeratography indicated the existence of forme fruste keratoconus on the left eye.

Conclusions

This article is the first case report of a bilateral corneal ectasia after PRK for low myopia. Even if there is no direct proof to demonstrate that PRK has worsened the evolution of keratoconus, the safety of the PRK procedure in forme fruste keratoconus must be considered.

1 Ophthalmology Department, Purpan Hospital, Toulouse, France

2 INSERM U 563, Toulouse, France

3 Paris, France

Correspondence to François Malecaze, MD, PhD, Ophthalmology Department, Purpan Hospital, Place Baylac, 31059 Toulouse cedex, France

Manuscript no. 2005-365.

The authors have no financial interests in any of the materials discussed in the article.

PII: S0161-6420(06)00085-6

doi:10.1016/j.ophtha.2005.11.023

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