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Subject Area

Ophthalmology

Article Type

Original Study

Abstract

Objective To evaluate the effectiveness and safety of argon laser in resistant corneal ulcers with the aid of fluorescein stain or riboflavin. Background The use of argon laser irradiation of refractory keratitis has proved beneficial in the treatment of these particular corneal ulcers as an adjunctive treatment. Patients and methods In all, 40 cases were divided into two groups. The first group included 20 patients stained with fluorescein sodium 0.25% before argon laser and the second group included 20 patients stained with riboflavin 0.1% before argon laser. Before laser treatment, a drop of benoxinate hydrochloride 0.4% and a single drop of fluorescein sodium 0.25% were instilled in the first group and riboflavin 0.1% in the second group. Argon laser irradiation of the affected cornea was performed using argon frequency doubled yttrium aluminum garnet laser, spot size of 500 μm, pulse duration of 0.2 s, and power of 900 mW. All cases were followed up within 4 months in four visits. Results A total of 17 cases healed within 4 months in the riboflavin 0.1% stained group, while only 16 cases healed within 4 months in the fluorescein sodium 0.25% stained group. Conclusion Argon laser treatment seems to be an effective adjuvant method for dealing with resistant corneal ulcers. The use of fluorescein sodium 0.25% stain or riboflavin 0.1% solution enhances visualization as well as uptake of laser shots. The difference in the healing rate between both the groups, although statistically significant, carries no clinical significance due to the small sample size.

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