Anterior segment optical coherence tomography-guided transepithelial phototherapeutic keratectomy for scarring of the central cornea following pterygium excision

AIM: To report the outcomes of patients undergoing anterior segment optical coherence tomography-guided transepithelial phototherapeutic keratectomy (ASOCT T-PTK) for central corneal scarring after pterygium excision. METHODS: The charts of 11 eyes of 10 patients that underwent ASOCT T-PTK following excision of visual axis-involving pterygia were retrospectively reviewed from a single private practice institution. The visual outcomes and corneal topographic findings were evaluated 4±1mo after pterygium excision and 6±2mo after transepithelial phototherapeutic keratectomy (T-PTK). RESULTS: All 11 eyes tolerated both the pterygium excision and T-PTK procedure well without any significant intraoperative or postoperative complications. Uncorrected distance visual acuity (UDVA) and manifest refraction corrected distance visual acuity (CDVA) improved after pterygium excision (P=0.03 and P=0.05, respectively). The UDVA and CDVA improved further after T-PTK (P=0.004 and P=0.002, respectively). The topographic surface asymmetry index, topographic surface regularity index, and topographic projected visual acuity significantly improved after T-PTK (P=0.0092, P=0.0022, and P=0.0002, respectively). None of the subjects lost any lines of CDVA, developed recurrence of pterygia or required keratoplasty during the postoperative period. CONCLUSION: ASOCT T-PTK can provide excellent visual and anatomic outcomes in patients with central corneal scarring after excision of visual axis-involving pterygia.