Corneal iron ring after hyperopic photorefractive keratectomy

PURPOSE: To report the incidence and course of corneal iron deposition after hyperopic photorefractive keratectomy (PRK). SETTING: Gazi University, Medical School, Department of Ophthalmology, Ankara, Turkey. METHODS: Between January 1995 and December 1997, 62 eyes had PRK to correct hyperopia. RESULTS: Nine eyes developed corneal iron ring 5 to 8 months (mean 6.25 months +/- 1.3 [SD]) after PRK for hyperopia. The rings persisted during the mean follow-up of 19 +/- 11.09 months. CONCLUSION: The ring-shaped iron deposition after PRK for hyperopia must be differentiated from the Fleischer ring. Our results suggest that the slitlamp findings of peripheral corneal iron deposition in hyperopic PRK patients correlate with achieved correction.