Early phototherapeutic keratectomy for basement membrane dystrophy after laser in situ keratomileusis

Phototherapeutic keratectomy (PTK) was performed to treat preexisting silent epithelial basal membrane dystrophy 1 month after laser in situ keratomileusis in 2 patients (4 eyes). The symptoms resolved dramatically during the follow-up period, with the patients reporting an immediate subjective visual improvement. At the last follow-up visit, 3 months after PTK, the eyes were asymptomatic, the epithelium was regular, no corneal erosions recurred, and the visual acuity was normal with no fluctuations. No eye developed haze greater than grade 1. There was no postoperative hyperopic shift, and no eye lost lines of best spectacle-corrected visual acuity.