Laser in situ keratomileusis in eyes with inactive herpetic keratitis.

Abstract

To evaluate the safety and outcome of laser in situ keratomileusis in eyes with inactive herpetic keratitis. Prospective, interventional case series. In three eyes of three patients with inactive unilateral herpetic keratitis for a minimum period of 1 year, laser in situ keratomileusis was performed. Oral and topical acyclovir were prescribed perioperatively. No topical steroids were prescribed. Preoperatively, all three eyes had corneal stromal scars with induced astigmatism in two eyes and central stromal scar in one eye with best-corrected visual acuity of 20/120, 20/25, and 20/50, respectively. Postoperatively, the three eyes achieved uncorrected visual acuity of 20/20, 20/20, and 20/50, respectively, with decreased corneal scar. None of the patients developed herpetic keratitis reactivation during a minimum follow-up of 6 months. Laser in situ keratomileusis was safe and effective in the treatment of refractive errors and corneal scars in three eyes of three patients with inactive herpetic keratitis.