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Abstract

In our report, 1 Sonmez B. Maloney R.K. Central toxic keratopathy: description of a syndrome in laser refractive surgery. Am J Ophthalmol. 2007; 143: 420-427 Abstract Full Text Full Text PDF PubMed Scopus (49) Google Scholar we identified 23 eyes of 14 patients with a syndrome consisting of central noninflammatory interface opacification three to nine days after laser-assisted in situ keratomileusis (LASIK) or photorefractive keratectomy (PRK), associated with striae and a hyperopic shift, which was usually preceded by diffuse lamellar keratitis, which extended posterior to the interface, and which did not respond to topical corticosteroids. The entity has been described previously by other authors, first by Fraenkel and associates, 2 Fraenkel G.E. Cohen P.R. Sutton G.L. et al. Central focal interface opacity after laser in situ keratomileusis. J Refract Surg. 1998; 14: 571-576 PubMed Google Scholar and given different names; it is best known as stage IV diffuse lamellar keratitis (DLK), a name given by Linebarger and associates. 3 Linebarger E.J. Hardten D.R. Lindstrom R.L. Diffuse lamellar keratitis: diagnosis and management. J Cataract Refract Surg. 2000; 26: 1072-1077 Abstract Full Text Full Text PDF PubMed Scopus (201) Google Scholar We call it central toxic keratopathy (CTK). Central Toxic Keratitis: Description of a Syndrome in Laser Refractive SurgeryAmerican Journal of OphthalmologyVol. 144Issue 2PreviewIt was with great interest that we read the article by Drs Sonmez and Maloney and congratulate the authors on their effort to describe a syndrome of central toxic keratopathy in the 2007 March issue of AJO.1 We would like to point out that three similar cases were reported in April 2001 in Journal of Cataract & Refractive Surgery, which was described at that time as a dissimilar entity to stage III or IV diffuse lamellar keratitis per Linebarger, and labeled as “central lamellar keratitis.”2 Full-Text PDF