Conductive keratoplasty to treat complications of LASIK and photorefractive keratectomy

Purpose: To assess the outcomes of conductive keratoplasty (CK) for patients with complications related to LASIK or photorefractive keratectomy (PRK). Design: Retrospective, noncomparative, interventional case series. Participants: Sixteen eyes of 15 patients were treated using CK after complications of initial LASIK or PRK surgeries. Five cases are described in detail. Intervention: Rehabilitative CK was performed. Main Outcome Measures: Uncorrected visual acuity (UCVA) and best spectacle-corrected visual acuity (BSCVA), refractive error, keratometry, topography analysis, and a subjective assessment of visual quality. Results: After CK treatment, there was a mean improvement in UCVA of 2 lines; 1 eye lost > 1 line of UCVA. Best-corrected visual acuity improved or remained the same in 12 of 15 eyes; no eyes lost > 1 line of BSCVA. There was a mean reduction in astigmatism of 54%. Videokeratography generally demonstrated improved quality of the corneal optical surface, and patients reported a reduction in optical symptoms such as glare and halo. Conclusions: Conductive keratoplasty may give improved corneal optics and vision in patients with complications of LASIK or PRK This application of CK offers an alternative in cases in which further flap manipulation or laser treatments are contraindicated.