Treatment of corneal dystrophies with excimer laser

Thirty-three eyes with different corneal dystrophies underwent phototherapeutic keratectomy to ablate corneal opacities, surface irregularities and corneal wounds. For most patients the treatment goal was to improve vision but also corneal woundhealing, glare problems and unstable refraction were indications for treatment. In 27 eyes with the treatment goal to improve vision, 23 improved 2 lines or more on the visual chart used. In none of the patients has the treatment led to a worsening of the condition. The mean follow-up time was 9 months. Excimer laser ablation of corneal dystrophies seems to be a good treatment, which can improve visual functions considerably, heal corneal wounds and in this way postpone corneal grafting in many cases.