Biomaterial Database

Phototherapeutic keratectomy in Salzmann's nodular degeneration. 2004

Johan Germundsson, and Per Fagerholm

Department of Ophthalmology, University Hospital, University of Linköping, Linköping, Sweden.

OBJECTIVE To describe the outcome in vision and refraction of phototherapeutic keratectomy (PTK) in Salzmann's nodular degeneration (SND). METHODS Five eyes of four patients underwent PTK with the objective of restoring an acceptable refractive status and improving visual acuity. This surgical technique aims to make the nodules level with the corneal surface using an excimer laser. RESULTS Best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) improved in all five eyes. Astigmatism was reduced in four eyes and increased somewhat in one. During the observation period one eye suffered a late recurrence that required a penetrating graft. CONCLUSIONS Salzmann's nodular degeneration is a rare disease that is sometimes difficult to diagnose as it has some resemblance to other diseases. The aetiology of the disease is unknown. Phototherapeutic keratectomy is a safe and effective mode of treatment. Recurrences occur with time.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D008297	Male		Males
D008875	Middle Aged	An adult aged 45 - 64 years.	Middle Age
D012029	Refraction, Ocular	Refraction of LIGHT effected by the media of the EYE.	Ocular Refraction,Ocular Refractions,Refractions, Ocular
D003317	Corneal Dystrophies, Hereditary	Bilateral hereditary disorders of the cornea, usually autosomal dominant, which may be present at birth but more frequently develop during adolescence and progress slowly throughout life. Central macular dystrophy is transmitted as an autosomal recessive defect.	Corneal Dystrophies,Granular Dystrophy, Corneal,Groenouw's Dystrophies,Macular Dystrophy, Corneal,Stromal Dystrophies, Corneal,Corneal Dystrophy,Corneal Dystrophy, Hereditary,Corneal Granular Dystrophies,Corneal Granular Dystrophy,Corneal Macular Dystrophies,Corneal Macular Dystrophy,Corneal Stromal Dystrophies,Corneal Stromal Dystrophy,Dystrophy, Corneal,Dystrophy, Corneal Granular,Dystrophy, Corneal Macular,Dystrophy, Corneal Stromal,Dystrophy, Hereditary Corneal,Groenouw Dystrophies,Groenouws Dystrophies,Hereditary Corneal Dystrophies,Hereditary Corneal Dystrophy,Stromal Dystrophy, Corneal
D005260	Female		Females
D006801	Humans	Members of the species Homo sapiens.	Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D000328	Adult	A person having attained full growth or maturity. Adults are of 19 through 44 years of age. For a person between 19 and 24 years of age, YOUNG ADULT is available.	Adults
D012189	Retrospective Studies	Studies used to test etiologic hypotheses in which inferences about an exposure to putative causal factors are derived from data relating to characteristics of persons under study or to events or experiences in their past. The essential feature is that some of the persons under study have the disease or outcome of interest and their characteristics are compared with those of unaffected persons.	Retrospective Study,Studies, Retrospective,Study, Retrospective
D014792	Visual Acuity	Clarity or sharpness of OCULAR VISION or the ability of the eye to see fine details. Visual acuity depends on the functions of RETINA, neuronal transmission, and the interpretative ability of the brain. Normal visual acuity is expressed as 20/20 indicating that one can see at 20 feet what should normally be seen at that distance. Visual acuity can also be influenced by brightness, color, and contrast.	Acuities, Visual,Acuity, Visual,Visual Acuities
D016896	Treatment Outcome	Evaluation undertaken to assess the results or consequences of management and procedures used in combating disease in order to determine the efficacy, effectiveness, safety, and practicability of these interventions in individual cases or series.	Rehabilitation Outcome,Treatment Effectiveness,Clinical Effectiveness,Clinical Efficacy,Patient-Relevant Outcome,Treatment Efficacy,Effectiveness, Clinical,Effectiveness, Treatment,Efficacy, Clinical,Efficacy, Treatment,Outcome, Patient-Relevant,Outcome, Rehabilitation,Outcome, Treatment,Outcomes, Patient-Relevant,Patient Relevant Outcome,Patient-Relevant Outcomes