Annular keratotomy for the treatment of painful bullous keratopathy.

Abstract

To determine whether annular keratotomy can relieve pain associated with bullous keratopathy. Three patients with painful bullous keratopathy and poor visual potential underwent partial-thickness (0.30 to 0.42 mm) trephination of the cornea under local anesthesia. All patients reported an absence of pain and foreign body sensation during an average follow-up interval of six months. The surgical procedure was uncomplicated; however, two eyes developed increased central corneal stromal edema. Annular keratotomy appears to be a relatively safe and simple surgical procedure that may be useful in managing pain in eyes with painful cornea edema and poor visual potential.