What is Phototherapeutic Keratectomy?
Phototherapeutic keratectomy or PTK is a operation used to even up dissimilar corneal diseases . This operative technique uses UV light and optical maser technology to remold and restore the cornea . Patients with corneal diseases such as scars , devolution , muscular dystrophy , bullous keratopathy , and band - mould keratopathy which are authoritative lawsuit of visual sightlessness , are considered for this Phototherapeutic keratectomy or PTK .
Phototherapeutic keratectomy or PTK is performed with an excimer optical maser and make for on the precept of photoablation , by soften the Julian Bond between molecules . you’re able to expect your vision to amend gradually and ordinarily be good enough to allow you to force a elevator car within 1 to 2 week play along surgery . However , your best vision may take some clip from 6 weeks up to 6 months . This is a safe and effective subprogram in the management of trivial corneal diseases such as corneal scars , degenerations , and dystrophies . Phototherapeutic keratectomy or PTK surgery has a success rate of over 90 % .
Phototherapeutic keratectomy or PTK is a procedure used to correct different corneal disease . This surgical technique uses ultraviolet illumination light and optical maser engineering science to reshape and doctor the cornea . Phototherapeutic keratectomy or PTK has been used to process scars , recurrent erosions , and dissimilar corneal muscular dystrophy . Phototherapeutic keratectomy or PTK mostly helps stay or postpone corneal grafting or alternate in the affected role . It is reckon to be a bridge deck between medical and surgical management of various corneal disorder .
Why is Phototherapeutic Keratectomy Beneficial?
To understand the benefits of phototherapeutic keratectomy , we have to understand the importance of cornea first . Cornea is the outermost bed of the eye and acts like a windowpane that lets the light into the center . The cornea acts as a roadblock against substances like dirt , germs , and other particle that are harmful for the middle . Cornea also helps in vision by helping centre the light that comes into the eyes and is responsible for 65 - 75 % of the eye ’s total focalize great power . Corneal disorder greatly affect the vision and it becomes authoritative to extemporize the vision . Phototherapeutic keratectomy or PTK has been find out to be an effective treatment for many trivial corneal disorder . It can also be combined with other surgeries like PRK ( photorefractive keratectomy ) . A compounding of PRK and PTK is effective in the relief of symptoms and prevention of return of corneal erosion .
Who is a Suitable Candidate for Phototherapeutic Keratectomy?
patient with corneal disease such as scar ( triggered by combat injury to the cornea ) , degenerations ( corneal thinning ) , dystrophy ( deposition of materials in cornea ) , bullous keratopathy ( bullae or vesicles constitution in the cornea ) , and band - mold keratopathy ( deposition of Ca salinity ) which are important causes of visual cecity , are considered for Phototherapeutic keratectomy or PTK surgical operation . The key to a successful surgery is selection of a suitable candidate . The choice depends on many factors like if the affected role hasdiabetesorrheumatoid arthritis , they may have a check epithelial healing . option also depends on corneal disease pathology , whether it is reform-minded ( dystrophy ) or non - progressive ( mark ) . It also reckon on associated symptom of pain sensation , watering , foreign body sensation and preoperative refractive errors .
The best candidates for Phototherapeutic keratectomy or PTK operating theater are patients with opaqueness in the anterior 10 – 20 % of the cornea , without significant constipation and cutting .
Systemic diseases such asdiabetes mellitusand autoimmune disorder are contraindication for Phototherapeutic keratectomy or PTK .
Evaluations Done Before Phototherapeutic Keratectomy
The main diagnosing and planning of phototherapeutic keratectomy is base on clinical judgment , on slit - lamp examination , and the amount of deflective error . Some visualise study are performed to manage and plan the postoperative effect . These are corneal topography , which help oneself in planning and following up of patient after Phototherapeutic keratectomy . Ultrasoundbiomicroscopy , ascertain the extent of corneal pathology . optical coherence tomography is also perform before the Phototherapeutic keratectomy or PTK surgery and is used to value the profoundness of opacity in the cornea and help in the preparation of either a lamellar or a infiltrate procedure reckon on the depth of the opacities .
How is Phototherapeutic Keratectomy Performed?
Phototherapeutic keratectomy or PTK surgery is performed with an excimer optical maser and work on on the principle of photoablation , by breaking the bond between molecules . This is an athermal summons and works with submicroscopic precision with minimum damage to adjacent tissue . Phototherapeutic keratectomy or PTK surgical operation allows the removal of superficial corneal opacity and Earth’s surface geometrical irregularity . The laser energy destroys intermolecular bonds in the corneal tissue lead in tissue removal by a process termed “ photoablative decomposition ” . The keen precision with which the tissue can be removed , and the absence of thermal damage , turn in this laser suited for operating theater on the fragile cornea .
Phototherapeutic keratectomy or PTK procedure is more often than not done under topical anesthesia . Strict sterile conditions are maintained throughout the surgery . In cause where PTK is combined with other operating theater or while dealing with paediatric patient role , general anaesthesia is used . In Phototherapeutic keratectomy or PTK surgery , the epithelium is removed using an alcohol solution ; the excimer optical maser is applied to the middle remove a thin stratum . Theoretically , this put up a more sound base stratum for healing of the corroding , allowing the corneal epithelium cells to bring around all in one tabloid , pass water the healing process more complete over the entire aerofoil . After the Phototherapeutic keratectomy or PTK surgical process , acontact lensbandage is put in position to allow for a healing environment and subdue pain . You will also be prescribed a regimen of antibiotic , sex hormone eye pretermit as well as moisturizingeye dangle . It is important that the patient adhere to regimen as these music will aid the patient ’s centre heal and relieve any discomfort .
Recovery after Phototherapeutic Keratectomy or PTK Surgery
Post Phototherapeutic keratectomy , the first anteriority is to mend the eye and usually a patch tangency lens is bust for several days . You will be ask to confabulate the doctor within the first 1 - 3 days for the follow up . The patch contact lens is removed once the airfoil of the eye is healed . The vision may be clear and blurry for the initial few days following the surgery . centre may feel dry and you will be given prescription to avoid any variety of infection and to keep the eye moist .
you may expect your vision to improve step by step and usually be good enough to allow you to drive a car within 1 to 2 week succeed Phototherapeutic keratectomy or PTK surgery . You must keep in psyche that your good visual sense may take even more metre , approximately 6 week to 6 months survey Phototherapeutic keratectomy or PTK surgery .
Complications of Phototherapeutic Keratectomy
Conclusion
Phototherapeutic keratectomy is a safe and good subroutine in the direction of superficial corneal diseases such as corneal scars , degenerations , and dystrophies . It significantly trim down repeated corneal erosions and amend visual sense . It reduces repeated corneal erosions and improves vision . Phototherapeutic keratectomy or PTK surgical procedure has a success pace of over 90 % .
