This site provides general eye-health education. It cannot replace individual assessment by a registered doctor, and does not offer personal diagnosis, prescriptions, bookings, sales or referrals.
If translations differ or are incomplete, the Traditional Chinese (zh-Hant) text on this site prevails.
Cornea and ocular surface · S
Recurrent corneal erosion and PTK
RCE · epithelial basement-membrane dystrophy
Last reviewed: 2026-10-06 · 潘家健醫生
Key points
Recurrent corneal erosion can cause severe morning pain, photophobia and tearing that eases then returns.
Therapeutic keratectomy (PTK) is a specialist discussion — not a home laser.
This page covers mechanism and care concepts — no device brands, no “never again” promise.
Sudden vision drop or severe red painful photophobia: follow A&E / same-day paths — do not wait it out alone.
The epithelium can tear on waking. Night lubricant or hypertonic ointment is a direction doctors often try first; how well it works varies, and basement-membrane dystrophy tends to recur. How long to use it, and whether a bandage lens is needed, is the doctor’s decision. Later procedures such as diamond burr or PTK are selected cases. This is not a cure promise.
This is general medical information, not a diagnosis, and cannot replace an in-person consultation with a registered ophthalmologist, refraction, or a dilated fundus exam. It is not advice to use any medicine or undergo any procedure. Medicines (including off-label use), laser or surgery must be decided by a registered doctor after examination, according to indications and Hong Kong registration. Figures from the literature are published averages, not any clinic’s results. This site does not book, prescribe or refer. Do not change treatment on your own.
