Combined Mitomycin-C Assisted Photorefractive Keratectomy in the Treatment of Epithelial Ingrowth after LASIK

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: To report 2 cases of thick, late-onset and long-standing epithelial ingrowth after laser-assisted in situ keratomilusis (LASIK) using mitomycin C-assisted photorefractive keratectomy and flap suturing. CASE SUMMARY: The first case involved a 29-year-old woman who had LASIK in both eyes in 2002. She was diagnosed with epithelial ingrowth OD after blunt ocular trauma in 2007. The second case involved a 30-year-old man who had LASIK in both eyes in 1999 followed by enhancements in 2004. Slit lamp examination showed dense epithelial ingrowth OS in a geographic pattern. Two eyes of the 2 patients with epithelial ingrowth had flap lifting followed by debridement of interface epithelial cells, photorefractive keratectomy, interface application of mitomycin C, and the placement of interrupted 10-0 nylon sutures. Two eyes regained better uncorrected visual acuity and showed reduced corneal astigmatism postoperatively. There was no evidence of residual or recurrent ingrowth throughout the follow-up period (case 1 11 months, case 2 1 month). CONCLUSIONS: Combined mitomycin C-assisted photorefractive keratectomy and flap suturing can be an effective and safe method for treating and preventing the recurrence of thick, late-onset and long-standing epithelial ingrowth involving the visual axis.