Sharadini P Vyas, Varshi M Rathi
Sri Ganapati Netralaya, Jalna, India

Aim: To determine the effect of phototherapeutic keratectomy for patients with granular dystrophy.
Methods: Eight eyes of 5 patients who underwent phototherapeutic keratectomy for granular dystrophy were enrolled; 3 patients underwent phototherapeutic keratectomy in both eyes. The outcome measures were pre- and postprocedure uncorrected visual acuity, best spectacle-corrected visual acuity, and postoperative refraction.
Results: The mean age of the patients was 20.6 years (SD, 6.7 years). All patients presented with decreased vision. The mean preoperative uncorrected visual acuity was 6/24, which improved to 6/15 postoperatively. The pre–phototherapeutic keratectomy best spectacle-corrected visual acuity was 6/12, which improved to 6/6 postoperatively (p = 0.0088). Refraction was available for 5 eyes; the mean postoperative refraction was +2.15 D (SD, +0.45 D). All patients had a clear visual axis postoperatively and no complications were encountered. None of the patients had recurrence by the last follow-up (mean, 8.8 months; SD, 8.2 months).
Conclusions: This small series of patients found phototherapeutic keratectomy to be a safe and effective technique for the management for granular dystrophy. Larger case-control studies comparing phototherapeutic keratectomy with other techniques are required to validate these results.

Key words: Corneal surgery, laser, Granular dystrophy, corneal, Lasers, excimer, Hyperopia, Recurrence

Asian J Ophthalmol. 2008;10:123-125.