Purpose: To report the first case of Avellino corneal dystrophy exacerbation after LASIK in a white or North American patient.
Methods: Case report and literature review.
Results: A 25-year-old white female developed progressive corneal opacities after LASIK. Preoperative examination had revealed only subtle white corneal opacities in each eye. The patient's mother had similar corneal opacities. DNA analysis of the patient revealed a heterozygous mutation at the R124H location in the BIGH3 gene.
Conclusions: LASIK can exacerbate Avellino corneal dystrophy and should be avoided in patients with this condition. A careful history and genetic analysis can identify affected patients and those at risk.