*Correspondence - Mukhtar Bizrah: m.bizrah@nhs.net

Objective To evaluate the efficacy and safety of trans-epithelial phototherapeutic keratectomy (PTK) as a treatment for recurrent cornea erosion syndrome (RCES) in patients with symptoms refractory to conventional treatments.

Methods and Analysis All patients who received PTK treatment for RCES had failed more than one conventional treatment, and were first vetted and approved by the British Columbia public health authority. A retrospective chart review and telephone survey were conducted at the Pacific Laser Eye Centre. Exclusion criteria were ocular co-morbidities potentially affecting treatment efficacy.

Results This study included 593 eyes of 555 patients (46.2% male; 50.9±14.2 years old) who underwent PTK. The leading identified causes of RCES were trauma (45.7%) and anterior basement membrane dystrophy (44.2%). The most common pre-PTK interventions were ocular lubricants (90.9%), hypertonic solutions (77.9%), and bandage contact lenses (50.9%). 36 eyes had undergone surgical interventions such as stromal puncture, epithelial debridement, or diamond burr polishing. Post-PTK, 78% of patients did not require any subsequent therapies, 20% required ongoing drops and 6 patients (1.1%) reported no symptom improvement. All 6 eyes were successfully retreated with PTK between 11.3±14.9 months from initial PTK. All study patients showed no significant differences in best corrected visual acuity pre vs. postoperatively.

Conclusion When compared to other surgical options, PTK is potentially more costly but frequently more effective and has a high safety profile. The third-party public health vetted nature of this study, the high patient satisfaction, and the low recurrence rate of RCES suggest that PTK should be considered at an earlier stage in the management of RCES.