{"id":17442,"date":"2025-12-02T13:32:13","date_gmt":"2025-12-02T12:32:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/swisslaser.pl\/corneal-scars\/"},"modified":"2026-09-18T13:07:13","modified_gmt":"2026-09-18T11:07:13","slug":"corneal-scars","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/swisslaser.pl\/en\/corneal-scars\/","title":{"rendered":"Corneal scars"},"content":{"rendered":"\n\n
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Corneal scars at a glance<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Corneal scars and opacities \u2013 after injuries, inflammation or recurrent erosions \u2013 scatter light and reduce visual acuity. We remove shallow lesions (up to around 1\/4 of the corneal thickness) with an excimer laser using PTK, which \u201cpolishes\u201d the cornea and often makes a transplant unnecessary. For deeper scars we plan the treatment in two stages, combining PTK with correction of the refractive error.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Treatment and price<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Method<\/th>Who it suits<\/th>Price<\/th><\/tr><\/thead>
PTK \/ Trans-PTK<\/a><\/td>shallow scars, opacities, recurrent corneal erosion<\/td>PLN 5,100 per eye<\/td><\/tr>
PTK + PRK (two-stage)<\/a><\/td>deeper scars with a refractive error \u2013 second stage after 4\u20136 months<\/td>quotation after diagnostics<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Scar Removal<\/h1>\n\n\n\n

Warsaw \u00b7 Krakow \u00b7 Vienna \u00b7 Zurich<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Scar Removal. Corneal scars appear as a result of inflammation, mechanical damage, viral, bacterial, or fungal infections, and even allergies or certain systemic diseases.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Causes and Formation of Corneal Changes<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Corneal scars result from inflammation, mechanical damage, viral, bacterial, or fungal infections, and even allergies or certain systemic diseases. Patients may also experience spontaneous recurrent corneal surface rupture, also known as recurrent erosion (recurrent corneal epithelial defect syndrome \u2013 RCE), which is a result of trauma and may manifest even several years after its occurrence. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n

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Methods for Treating Corneal Scars<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Although superficial corneal scars can also be treated mechanically, for example, by scraping them with a Hockey’s knife, and recurrent corneal erosion can initially be treated with ointment, pressure dressings, or needle puncture, these methods are often less precise than PTK and do not always lead to equivalent results. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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What is PTK?<\/strong><\/div><\/summary>
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PTK ( Photo Therapeutic Keratectomy ) is a phototherapeutic keratectomy operation performed with an excimer laser. The primary aim of phototherapeutic keratectomy is to reduce scarring. After part of the scar is removed, the cornea relaxes over the following months, which reduces its irregular curvature. Correction of the corneal curvature is undertaken 4 to 6 months later during a second laser operation, wavefront-guided PRK ( Photorefractive Keratectomy ).<\/p>\n<\/div><\/details>\n\n\n

How corneal scars are removed with the excimer laser<\/strong><\/div><\/summary>
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If the corneal scar is shallow and small \u2013 with opacities extending no deeper than a quarter of the cornea’s thickness \u2013 it can be removed in a way that avoids a corneal transplant. The PRK procedure, which smooths and “polishes” the cornea with an excimer laser, is an effective method for superficial corneal opacities and scars. \n \n\n \n How the operation proceeds: \n \n\n \n \n<\/p>\n

\u2022 the operation takes from a few seconds to a few minutes, is painless and is performed on an outpatient basis \n \n\n \n<\/p>\n

\u2022 eye drops are usually sufficient for anaesthesia \u2013 the numbing effect lasts for 15-30 minutes after the procedure \n \n\n \n<\/p>\n

\u2022 fine particles are removed from the clouded area \u2013 the wound heals within around three days \n \n \n\n \n For deeper and more extensive scars, the upper layer of the cornea (the epithelium) can first be removed so that the laser can remove the actual clouded parts of the cornea, scars or deposits as accurately as possible. The deeper the corneal tissue is removed, the greater the likelihood that the procedure will leave the patient somewhat long-sighted. As a rule, for every 20 micrometres of tissue removed, the patient shifts by 1 dioptre towards long-sightedness. \n \n\n \n Thanks to the excimer laser and a special laser profile, the diseased tissue can usually be removed and the cornea gently “polished”, eliminating the need for a transplant. \n \n\n \n After the operation, a dressing is placed over the eye. A contact lens may also be used for protection. Very rarely, infectious keratitis or ulcers may develop under the contact lens applied as a dressing. Immediate ophthalmological review and treatment are then required.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/details>\n\n\n

The most common post-operative discomforts after corneal scar removal include:<\/strong><\/div><\/summary>
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– more intense pain together with watering, burning, redness of the eye, light sensitivity and a foreign-body sensation in the eye \u2013 lasting around 24 hours \n \n\n \n<\/p>\n

\u2022 mild eye pain \u2013 subsiding after around 4 days \n \n\n \n<\/p>\n

\u2022 increased sensitivity of the eye to external stimuli \n \n\n \n<\/p>\n

\u2022 noticeable visual disturbances \u2013 excessive light sensitivity and glare rings around light sources (the halo effect), which may last up to several months \n \n\n \n<\/p>\n

\u2022 somewhat poorer vision at dusk and in the dark \u2013 in the first months after the operation \n \n \n\n \n NOTE: mild to moderate opacities in the areas where the cornea was treated may appear around a month after the operation, but they will gradually fade over four months and as a rule disappear completely after around two to three years.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/details>\n\n\n

Complications associated with corneal scar removal<\/strong><\/div><\/summary>
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Serious complications with PTK are so rare that no statistical probability can even be given, but bear in mind that previous illnesses and a patient’s individual characteristics can influence how often complications occur. \n \n\n \n In isolated cases the healing process is so vigorous that scarring occurs which may necessitate a further procedure, which in many cases improves the situation. However, this is usually performed several months after the first operation. \n \n\n \n Post-procedure complications may include side effects of the medication prescribed by the ophthalmologist, for example a hypersensitivity reaction of the ocular surface to the preservatives contained in eye drops, intolerance to antibacterial medication, or a rise in intraocular pressure induced by drops containing cortisone. \n \n\n \n The corneal scar removal procedure can restore full or partial clarity to a clouded cornea. If the PTK method is used to treat a cracked corneal surface, the upper cell layers of the cornea can generally stabilise to the point that no new cracks appear in the affected area.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/details>\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n

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Schedule a non-binding appointment and consultation to learn how we can improve your vision.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Related topics<\/h3>\n\n\n\n