Annular keratotomy for the treatment of painful bullous keratopathy

PURPOSE: To determine whether annular keratotomy can relieve pain associated with bullous keratopathy. METHODS: Three patients with painful bullous keratopathy and poor visual potential underwent partial-thickness (0.30 to 0.42 mm) trephination of the cornea under local anesthesia. RESULTS: All patients reported an absence of pain and foreign body sensation during an average follow up interval of six months. The surgical procedure was uncomplicated; however, two eyes developed increased central corneal stromal edema. CONCLUSIONS: Annular keratotomy appears to be a relatively safe and simple surgical procedure that may be useful in managing pain in eyes with painful cornea edema and poor visual potential.