H. Specht

Combination of transepithelial phototherapeutic keratectomy and autologous serum eyedrops for treatment of recurrent corneal erosions

PURPOSE: To evaluate the clinical outcomes after transepithelial phototherapeutic keratectomy (t‐PTK) using an excimer laser and postoperative administration of autologous serum eyedrops. SETTING: Department of Ophthalmology, Ruprecht‐Karls‐University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany. METHODS: Twenty‐five eyes of 25 patients with 3 to 12 recurrent corneal erosions were treated with t‐PTK using the Schwind Keratom broad‐beam excimer laser (Schwind). Routine therapy consisted of 2 pulses × 40 pulses (18.82 ± 2.56 μm ablation). Postoperatively, autologous serum eyedrops were administered 6 times a day for 6 weeks. Postoperative outcomes and rate of recurrent erosions were evaluated. RESULTS: The median of the follow‐up after t‐PTK was 15.5 months (range 6 to 20 months), and the mean age of the patients was 40.6 years ± 12.0 (SD). Twenty of 25 eyes (80%) recovered without further corneal erosion. Five eyes had 1 further erosion, which was treatable in 4 cases with autologous serum eyedrops without additional excimer laser treatment. One patient requested additional t‐PTK treatment and recovered without further complications thereafter. CONCLUSIONS: Transepithelial phototherapeutic keratectomy is a safe and effective therapy for recurrent corneal erosions. Additional treatment with autologous serum eyedrops can support the healing process following corneal erosions and t‐PTK and can be given as a long‐term artificial tear treatment.

Accumulated IR-laser ablation of endothel at the inner wall of Schlemm's canal

The typical approach for tissue ablation in laser microsurgery is to use a fiber tip in the contact-mode. An example is the laser trabecular ablation ab interno. The purpose of this paper is to describe the trabecular meshwork ablation with an Er:YAG laser in the none contact mode from inside Schlemms canal using cavitations bubbles.