[Results of therapeutic photo-keratectomy using the Excimer laser. Apropos of 12 cases].

We report a series of 12 eyes which underwent phototherapeutic keratectomy with the Excimer laser Aesculap Meditec (model Mel 60). Mean follow up was 11 months (range 3 to 19 months). Six types of corneal pathologic lesions were treated: recurrent corneal erosions, corneal scars after herpetic keratitis, anterior stromal dystrophy, band keratopathy, mucous plaque, and scar after viral infection. Epithelium healed within the first post-operative week in 83.3% of cases. The goal of treatment was achieved in 75% of cases (100% of therapeutic success for recurrent corneal erosions and 66.6% for superficial corneal opacities). The main undesirable effects were postoperative pain, delayed reepithelialization (16.6%). One patient (8.3%) lost more than two lines of visual acuity. The results, the limits and the undesirable effects of phototherapeutic keratectomy are discussed from our experience and data found in the literature.