Excimer Laser Photoablation of Primary Familial Amyloidosis of the Cornea

A 31-year old female underwent lamellar keratoplasty for the treatment of bilateral primary familial amyloidosis of the cornea in 1983 (OS), 1986 (OD), and 1989 (OS). The lesions recurred bilaterally and visual acuity in 1992 was 20/400 in each eye. After debridement of essentially all corneal epithelium, the entire cornea of the left eye was treated with excimer laser phototherapeutic keratectomy (PTK). One month postoperatively, visual acuity was 20/50 and the corneal surface appeared smooth and clear with no evidence of recurrence. Four months postoperatively, the patient continued to be free of recurrence.