Salzmann nodular degeneration after photorefractive keratectomy for hyperopia

Abstract

Purpose: To report a case of bilateral central Salzmann nodular degeneration (SND) after photorefractive keratectomy (PRK) for hyperopia.Methods: Case report.Results: A 47-year-old male presented with complaints of glare and difficulty with night driving. He had undergone PRK for hyperopia (+3.5+1.5x180 in the right eye and +4.5+1.0x180 in the left eye) in both eyes about 15 years back. The early postoperative period was uneventful; however, he started having these symptoms after two to three months. At presentation, uncorrected visual acuity was 20/100 and best corrected visual acuity was 20/30 with +3.5+1.0x180 in both eyes. Slit-lamp examination showed bilateral 1-1.5 mm diameter, bluish white nodular lesions involving the central corneas. There were also prominent paracentral brown pigment ring deposits consistent with pseudo-Fleischer rings in both eyes. Scheimpflug images showed dense hyper-reflective nodules that were associated with elevated anterior corneal surface and measured 290 μm in the right eye and 230 μm in the left eye, along with presence of significant astigmatism (K1- 45.1D, K2- 47.8D right eye and K1- 45.4D, K2- 49.2D left eye). Central pachymetry was 485 μm in the right eye and 464 μm in the left eye.Conclusions: SND is a rare complication of PRK for hyperopia that can lead to suboptimal visual outcome. PRK should be included in the list of etiologies leading to SND.