Haze after photorefractive keratectomy caused by iatrogenic lagophthalmos.

Author(s): Leccisotti A, Moore J

Affiliation(s): Ophthalmic Surgery Unit, Casa di Cura Rugani, Siena, Italy. leccisotti@libero.it

Publication date & source: 2006-08, J Cataract Refract Surg., 32(8):1392-4.

Publication type: Case Reports

A 22-year-old man had shortening of the levator muscle for a congenital blepharoptosis in the right eye in 2000. In September 2004, he was successfully treated by bilateral photorefractive keratectomy (PRK) for myopia and was asymptomatic with an uncorrected visual acuity of 20/20. In October 2005, right eye visual acuity decreased because of an inferiorly localized haze caused by nocturnal lagophthalmos. Fluorometholone eyedrops and lubrication induced full visual recovery after 2 months, but corresponding topographical abnormalities were only partially improved. Corneal exposure can induce haze after PRK, even in the long term. The efficacy of topical steroids indicates a role for inflammatory mediators in this condition. Eyelid position and dynamics must be evaluated before PRK to rule out lagophthalmos.