PTK Laser Therapy Vienna: Lasting Cure for Recurrent Erosion & Corneal Scars

Mechanical defects of the cornea often require laser smoothing so that the tissue can adhere permanently again – drops often only provide short-term relief.

PTK breaks the vicious cycle of the cornea tearing open at night and stabbing pain upon waking.

Since this procedure is often considered medically necessary, we support you in the reimbursement of costs by the social insurance (optional doctor principle).

We explain how the laser precisely reduces even old scars or genetic changes (e.g. map-dot-fingerprint).

Dr. Victor Derhartunian is a Fellow of the World College of Refractive Surgery & Visual Sciences (FWCRS) and holds the European specialist diploma FEBO.

Yes, in many cases, PTK is a medically necessary benefit covered by health insurance (“curative treatment”) because it is not a cosmetic surgery. Since EyeLaser is a private practice, you will initially pay for the procedure privately. However, we will provide you with a detailed medical bill with the correct diagnostic codes. You can submit this to the Austrian Health Insurance Fund (ÖGK), BVAEB, or SVS. Depending on your insurance plan, you will receive a portion of the costs back. Private health insurance companies usually cover 100% of the costs if there is a medical indication.

PTK is considered the gold standard in the treatment of recurrent erosion when conservative measures such as ointments fail. By precisely removing the top layer of tissue and “polishing” the underlying Bowman’s membrane, we create a smooth wound bed. This allows the new epithelial cells to form strong “anchoring fibrils” that act like a strong Velcro fastener. The recurrence rate is extremely low (over 90% success rate). If problems do occur years later, follow-up treatment is usually possible.

No, the procedure itself is absolutely painless for you. We use highly effective anesthetic eye drops that numb the eye within seconds. You will only feel the lid speculum that holds the eye open and some rinsing fluid. The laser itself works without contact and cannot be felt.

We want to be honest with you: Because PTK creates a superficial wound area (similar to a skin abrasion), the first 2 to 3 days after the procedure are often uncomfortable. Typical symptoms include burning, tearing, foreign body sensation, and light sensitivity. However, we will not leave you alone: You will receive a comprehensive plan from us with painkillers and drops, as well as an emergency number. From the 4th day onwards, there is usually a rapid improvement as soon as the epithelium has closed.

This is often possible and a very elegant solution. This is called “refractive PTK” or topography-guided Trans-PRK. If we have to remove tissue anyway to remove a scar, we can often calculate the ablation profile so that your refractive error (nearsightedness, astigmatism) is also corrected. Dr. Derhartunian must check this individually, as the health of the cornea always takes precedence over diopter correction.

Superficial scars can often be completely removed, so that the cornea is crystal clear again. For deeper scars, we can usually smooth them out so much (“Smoothing”) that the glare (Glares/Halos) is massively reduced and the visual acuity increases significantly. Before the procedure, we use OCT to measure exactly how deep the scar is in order to predict the result realistically.

The entire treatment takes place directly in our modern clinic at Opernring 1, 1010 Vienna (opposite the State Opera). We have our own high-end laser operating room that meets the strictest hygiene standards. You do not have to go to a public hospital and there are no long waiting times.

Please expect about one week (5 to 7 days) of sick leave. In the first few days, vision is blurred due to wound healing (“frosted glass effect”) and the eye is sensitive to light. Screen work or driving is not possible during this time. We will of course issue you with a medical certificate for your employer or health insurance company.

FWCRS stands for “Fellow of the World College of Refractive Surgery & Visual Sciences”, an international society for refractive surgery. Dr. Derhartunian holds this title alongside the European specialist diploma FEBO (Fellow of the European Board of Ophthalmology).

At EyeLaser, we generally treat patients from the age of 18. In children with traumatic scars or severe dystrophies, PTK is often only possible under general anesthesia. Here we recommend specialized university hospitals (e.g. AKH Vienna). We would be happy to advise you and refer you to the right experts.

In Salzmann’s degeneration (bluish nodules) or Map-Dot-Fingerprint dystrophy, the corneal surface is irregular. PTK precisely smooths out these irregularities. The result: The often agonizing foreign body sensation disappears immediately, and visual acuity often improves dramatically because the optical distortion caused by the irregularities is eliminated.

We know that patients with recurrent erosion often have acute pain and a high level of suffering. Therefore, we strive to provide very prompt appointments for acute complaints. Please call us and mention your symptoms (“Acute pain when waking up”) so that we can prioritize you.

As soon as the therapeutic contact lens is removed (usually after 4-5 days), light sports (jogging, fitness) are possible again. However, you should avoid swimming (indoor pool, Alte Donau) and sauna for at least 2 to 3 weeks to minimize the risk of infection during the healing phase.

You will receive an exact drop plan from us (antibiotics and cortisone) to prevent inflammation and control healing. Preservative-free artificial tears (e.g. Hylo-Gel or Thealoz Duo) are very important in the weeks and months afterwards. These keep the newly formed epithelium supple and prevent it from tearing again.

You don’t have to worry about having to “hold still” your eye. Our SCHWIND Amaris laser has a high-performance eye tracker (7D). It tracks your eye movements over 1000 times per second and compensates for them in a flash. If you move your eye too much, the laser stops automatically immediately. Misfires are therefore technically impossible.