PRESUMED EPITHELIAL CYST IN THE ANTERIOR-CHAMBER FOLLOWING REFRACTIVE KERATOTOMY

BACKGROUND: A free floating cyst in the anterior chamber was observed 10 days after a 35-year-old woman underwent an eight-incision radial keratotomy and two-incision transverse keratotomy of the left eye. METHODS: A single self-sealing microperforation had occurred on the inferotemporal incision during the initial surgery, which used a two direction incision technique. RESULTS: A free floating cystic structure was first noted by the surgeon 10 days after surgery, when the patient returned for repeated surgery for residual myopia. After 18 months, there was little change in the size or appearance of the cyst. The patient, who was informed of the complication, remained asymptomatic with uncorrected visual acuity of 20/25 + 2 bilaterally. Because of the lack of growth of the cyst, continued observation was chosen instead of surgcal removal. The cause of the cyst is unknown. CONCLUSION: A free floating cyst in the anterior chamber may occur after refractive keratotomy.