Recurrent erosion. Treatment by anterior stromal puncture.

The majority of patients with recurrent corneal erosion respond to conventional forms of therapy such as topical lubricants, patching, debridement, or bandage soft contact lenses. However, there remain a small number who do not. For the small number of patients who do not respond to this type of treatment, this report describes a procedure: multiple anterior stromal punctures are created that presumably stimulate more secure epithelial adhesion to the underlying stroma. Of 21 eyes in 18 patients treated in this manner, three eyes required retreatment of adjacent areas; otherwise, there were no recurrences in follow-up periods ranging from 5 months to 12 years. This procedure is a simple and effective method for safe office treatment of patients with recalcitrant recurrent erosion.