Clinical Features of Subepithelial Layer Irregularities of Cornea

Abstract

Purpose: To illustrate surgical outcomes of subepithelial irregularities that were identified incidentally during laser refractive surgery.

Materials and Methods: The study group consisted of 406 patients who underwent 787 surface ablation refractive surgeries. Ophthalmologic evaluations were performed before each procedure and at 1, 3 and 6 months post-operatively. Subepithelial irregularities were evaluated by analyzing still photographs captured from video recordings. Sizes and locations were determined by a calibrated scale located at the major axis of the tracking system’s reticle.

Results: Subepithelial irregularities were identified in 27 eyes during 787 surface ablation refractive surgeries. Most of the subepithelial irregularities did not show any abnormalities in the wavefront aberrometer. However, one case with diameter greater than 1.00 mm and one case of clustered multiple subepithelial irregularities with moderate size were corresponded significant coma (Z31) and increased higher order aberration (HOA) in the HOA gradient map.

Conclusions: Corneal subepithelial irregularities may be related to problems that include significantly increased localized HOA and remaining permanent subepithelial opacity. Subepithelial irregularity should be considered even if the surface of the cornea is intact and there are no specific findings measured by corneal topography.

• Cornea
• Epi-LASIK
• higher order aberration
• PRK
• subepithelial irregularity

Declaration of interest

The authors report no conflict of interest. The authors alone are responsible for the content and writing of the paper.