Limbal stem cell deficiency following phototherapeutic keratectomy.
PURPOSE: To describe a case of limbal stem cell (LSC) deficiency following phototherapeutic keratectomy (PTK). METHODS: We analyzed the case of a 67-year-old man who developed LSC deficiency in his left eye following PTK for recurrent epithelial erosions. Predisposing factors included diabetes mellitus and rosacea. RESULTS: Surgical treatment consisted of debridement of the diseased corneal epithelium, followed by limbal autografting from the fellow eye. The cornea healed and remained transparent after 1 year. Histologic examination confirmed the diagnosis of LSC deficiency, showing the presence of goblet cells and inflammatory cells within the epithelium. CONCLUSION: The extensive corneal mechanical debridement and laser photoablation incurred during phototherapeutic keratectomy can cause clinical LSC deficiency in patients with predisposing external diseases.