A novel case using femtosecond laser-acquired lenticule for recurrent pterygium: case report and literature review. Issue 6 (June 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Pant, Om Prakash; Hao, Ji-long; Zhou, Dan-dan; Wang, Fan; Lu, Cheng-wei
• Is Part Of: Journal of international medical research. Volume 46:Issue 6(2018)
• Page Start: 2474
• Page End: 2480
• Publication Date: 2018-06
• Subjects: Lenticule -- recurrent pterygium -- thin cornea -- femtosecond laser; Medicine -- Periodicals; Pharmacology -- Periodicals; 610.5
• DOI: 10.1177/0300060518765303
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0300-0605

Abstract

Small incision lenticule extraction (SMILE) is a minimally invasive, safe and flapless femtosecond laser technique used mainly to correct myopia through extraction of a corneal lenticule. Lenticules obtained in this way are transparent and of high quality, and thus, can be used to treat other corneal diseases. A 65-year-old male patient presented with recurrent pterygium complicated by thin cornea. The patient was treated surgically using a SMILE-extracted lenticule to avoid further complications and to maintain eyeball integrity. The lenticule was sutured over the thin section of cornea using 10-0 interrupted nylon sutures and enclosed by a single layer of amniotic membrane. The patient was evaluated using slit-lamp biomicroscopy and anterior-segment optical-coherence tomography. During an 8-month follow-up, the graft remained intact with no sign of rejection and corneal thickness was maintained. Tectonic keratoplasty using a SMILE-extracted lenticule appears to be a safe, cost-effective and reliable method for treating thin cornea due to repeated surgeries for recurrent pterygium. This is the first case of recurrent pterygium complicated by thin cornea managed surgically using a SMILE-extracted lenticule.