Purpose To evaluate the efficacy of neodymium:yttrium–
aluminum–garnet (Nd:YAG) laser for treatment
of epithelial ingrowth after laser in situ
keratomileusis (LASIK).
Patients and methods Fifty-eight patients with
epithelial ingrowth presented to Sohag refractive
center, Sohag, Egypt, between January 2015 and
March 2017. Only 41 patients (18 females and 23
males, mean age: 33.4 years) involving 41 eyes were
indicated for treatment by Nd:YAG laser as the rest of
the eyes were only under observation. Patients with
epithelial ingrowth were recognized at a mean of
6 months after primary LASIK procedure (range:
2–16 months). Four eyes had undergone previous
LASIK enhancements. Four eyes had the epithelial
ingrowth removed by flap lift and scrapping. The mean
intensity of the spots used was 0.8 mJ with variable
number of shots depending on the size and density of
the epithelial ingrowth area. Twenty-eight eyes
showed complete regression after one session, while
the rest necessitated 2–3 sessions for complete resolution.
Mean follow-up period was 8 months (range
5–12 months).