Exacerbation of granular corneal dystrophy type II (Avellino corneal dystrophy) after LASEK

PURPOSE: To report cases of granular corneal dystrophy type II (Avellino corneal dystrophy) that were exacerbated by uncomplicated laser epithelial keratomileusis (LASEK) for myopia. METHODS: Eight patients (15 eyes) with granular corneal dystrophy type II who underwent LASEK were examined by DNA sequencing, slit-lamp microscopy, and confocal microscopy. RESULTS: The number and density of the opacities increased after LASEK. Best spectacle-corrected visual acuity decreased after LASEK as the density of the opacities increased. In three patients, mitomycin C was used intraoperatively, but corneal deposits also worsened in these patients. CONCLUSIONS: LASEK is contraindicated in patients with granular corneal dystrophy type II because vision may be reduced from an increase in the density of corneal opacities postoperatively.