Excimer laser in situ keratomileusis for severe ametropia after penetrating keratoplasty

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effects of excimer laser in situ keratomileusis in correcting severe myopia and astigmatism after penetrating keratoplasty. METHODS: Excimer laser in situ keratomileusis was performed on ten eyes of ten patients to correct high ametropia in cases having previously undergone penetrating keratoplasty. RESULTS: After surgery, all grafts remained clear and no corneal graft rejection occurred during the follow-up period. The average spherical equivalent refraction decreased from minus sign11.85 D preoperatively to minus sign3.38 D postoperatively and the average cylinder from 6.75 D to 2.70 D. The highest cylinder correction achieved was 10.00 D. The mean uncorrected visual acuity improved from 0.1 to 0.8, the best one was 1.5, and the best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) improved from 0.8 to 1.1. In this group, BCVA was improved in all eyes. CONCLUSION: Excimer laser in situ keratomileusis is a safe and effective method to deal with the high ametropia after penetrating keratoplasty and shows its great prospect.