PRK for epithelial ingrowth in buttonhole after LASIK

PURPOSE: To evaluate the efficacy of photorefractive keratectomy (PRK) in progressive central epithelial ingrowth after buttonholes after laser in situ keratomileusis (LASIK). METHODS: Two eyes of two patients with progressive central epithelial ingrowth and fibrosis in flap buttonholes after LASIK underwent PRK 6 months following primary surgery. RESULTS: Epithelial ingrowth was treated successfully in both eyes. The uncorrected visual acuities were 20/20, and there was no evidence of recurrent epithelial ingrowth after 6 months. CONCLUSIONS: Photorefractive keratectomy is a useful modality in the treatment of central epithelial ingrowth in buttonholes following LASIK. As a single-step surgery, it offers both therapeutic and optical advantages by simultaneously clearing the corneal opacity and correcting the refractive error in selected cases.