Acute Corneal Edema after Corneal Refractive Procedure: Case Study and Literature Review

A 28-year-old woman scheduled to have photorefractive keratectomy (PRK) for the correction of moderate myopia in both eyes developed localized transient corneal edema centrally on the ablated area in one eye. The edema resolved within a week. Transient localized corneal edema at the ablated area can complicate PRK for the treatment of moderate myopia in corneas with normal preoperative corneal examination. Key Words: photorefractive keratectomy, transient corneal edema, endothelial cell function The Argon Flouride 193-nm ultraviolet light emitted by an excimer laser has been used since 19881 to correct refractive errors and other visual disturbances. Due to the inability of human corneal endothelium to regenerate, any loss of endothelial cells after photorefractive keratectomy (PRK), laser in-situ keratomileusis (LASIK) or laser sub-epithelial keratomileusis (LASEK) would lessen their acceptance as an elective refractive procedure. The effect of excimer laser refractive surgery o