Corneal edema and haze after selective laser trabeculoplasty.

Purpose: To report 2 cases of corneal edema, haze, and thinning in patients after undergoing selective laser trabeculopasty.

Methods: Selective laser trabeculoplasty was performed for the treatment of primary open-angle glaucoma on 2 patients who subsequently developed corneal stromal haze within 24 to 48 hours of the procedure.

Results: The patients were treated with topical steroids for several weeks. Although their corneal edema resolved, both patients were left with residual corneal scarring and thinning. One patient had a significant hyperopic shift.

Conclusions: Corneal edema, haze, and thinning after selective laser trabeculoplasty is an extremely rare event, with only 2 other cases reported in the literature. Although certain causes are postulated to play a role in this complication, it is not yet understood what may predispose a patient to corneal changes as a result of this laser procedure.