J Korean Ophthalmol Soc.  2006 Jun;47(6):893-899.

Combined Phototherapeutic Keratectomy and Amniotic Membrane Transplantation in the Treatment of Salzmann's Nodular Degeneration

• Jeong IY
• Yoon KC

Abstract

PURPOSE: To evaluate the therapeutic effects of excimer laser phototherapeutic keratectomy (PTK) combined with amniotic membrane transplantation (AMT) in patients with symptomatic Salzmann's nodular degeneration.
METHODS
Eight eyes of 8 patients who underwent PTK and AMT for Salzmann's nodular degeneration with a minimum follow-up period of 12 months were included. Changes of vision, refraction and symptom, postoperative corneal status, recurrence, and postoperative complication were analyzed retrospectively.
RESULTS
Postoperative visual acuity improved more than 2 lines in 6 eyes (75.0%) and was unchanged in 2 eyes (25.0%). The mean myopic shift was 0.83 D. Symptoms improved and cosmetic results were good in all patients. Four patients (50.0) had complete resolution of symptoms. No recurrence of the nodule or postoperative complication was detected during a mean follow-up of 19.12+/-8.20 months.
CONCLUSIONS
Combined PTK and AMT is a effective and safe method for treating and preventing the recurrence of symptomatic Salzmann's nodular degeneration.

Keyword

Amniotic membrane transplantation; Excimer laser; Phototherapeutic keratectomy; Salzmann's nodular degeneration

MeSH Terms

Amnion*
Follow-Up Studies
Humans
Lasers, Excimer
Postoperative Complications
Recurrence
Retrospective Studies
Visual Acuity