Universität zu Köln

Helm, Simon ORCID: 0000-0001-7467-5922, Wiedemann, Johanna ORCID: 0009-0000-0496-4921, Rosswinkel, Benjamin ORCID: 0000-0003-1483-8667, Bachmann, Björn ORCID: 0000-0002-3974-7609, Cursiefen, Claus ORCID: 0000-0002-1958-411X, Schlereth, Simona ORCID: 0000-0002-7230-6434 and Benito, Antonio (2025). Higher‐Order Aberrations, Corneal Density, and Visual Acuity After Excimer Laser Phototherapeutic Keratectomy (PTK) for Epithelial Basement Membrane Dystrophy. Journal of Ophthalmology, 2025 (1). pp. 1-10. Wiley. ISSN 2090-004X

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Abstract

Background: To evaluate visual acuity outcome after excimer laser phototherapeutic keratectomy (PTK) for epithelial basement membrane dystrophy (EBMD) and to provide new insights into higher‐order aberrations (HOAs) and corneal density changes. Methods: In this single‐center cohort, 92 eyes from 80 individuals underwent PTK for EBMD, with follow‐up durations reaching up to 7.5 years (mean 332 ± 526.5 days). Results: Mean BCVA in EBMD improved by 0.17 ± 0.17 logMAR ( p < 0.001) for patients without visual acuity limitations and by 0.14 ± 0.31 ( p = 0.004) logMAR if patients had additional visual acuity limitations. Refraction remained stable after PTK. HOA reduced by 0.16 ± 0.23 μm ( p < 0.001), corneal density by 6.73 ± 11.83 gray scale units ( p < 0.001), and K max by 1.02 dpt (±2.73) ( p = 0.006) after PTK. A correlation before and after PTK between HOA ( p = 0.014 and 0.002), corneal density ( p < 0.002), and K max ( p = 0.010) with BCVA was observed. Light haze occurred in 10% of the cases. Re‐PTK was necessary for 1 patient (1.1%). Conclusion: PTK significantly enhances visual acuity in patients with EBMD, independently of additional visual acuity limitations. The significant reduction of HOA, corneal density, and K max as well as the correlation of these parameters with visual acuity prove an effective therapy on an objective level.

Item Type:	Article
Creators:	Creators Email ORCID ORCID Put Code Helm, Simon UNSPECIFIED https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7467-5922 UNSPECIFIED Wiedemann, Johanna UNSPECIFIED https://orcid.org/0009-0000-0496-4921 UNSPECIFIED Rosswinkel, Benjamin UNSPECIFIED https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1483-8667 UNSPECIFIED Bachmann, Björn UNSPECIFIED https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3974-7609 UNSPECIFIED Cursiefen, Claus UNSPECIFIED https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1958-411X UNSPECIFIED Schlereth, Simona UNSPECIFIED https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7230-6434 UNSPECIFIED Benito, Antonio UNSPECIFIED UNSPECIFIED UNSPECIFIED
URN:	urn:nbn:de:hbz:38-801676
Identification Number:	10.1155/joph/4801704
Journal or Publication Title:	Journal of Ophthalmology
Volume:	2025
Number:	1
Page Range:	pp. 1-10
Number of Pages:	10
Date:	30 December 2025
Publisher:	Wiley
ISSN:	2090-004X
Language:	English
Faculty:	Faculty of Medicine
Divisions:	Faculty of Medicine > Augenheilkunde > Klinik und Poliklinik für Allgemeine Augenheilkunde Faculty of Medicine > Medizinische Statistik und Bioinformatik Zentrum für Molekulare Medizin
Subjects:	Medical sciences Medicine
Uncontrolled Keywords:	Keywords Language corneal haze ; epithelial basal membrane dystrophy ; HOA ; PTK English
['eprint_fieldname_oa_funders' not defined]:	Publikationsfonds UzK
Refereed:	Yes
URI:	http://kups.ub.uni-koeln.de/id/eprint/80167