LAMELLAR CORNEAL PATCH GRAFT IN THE MANAGEMENT OF CORNEAL PERFORATIONS WITH USING DONOR CORNEAL RIMS

To report the indications, demographic, and prognostic factors for the success of lamellar corneal patch grafts.

Kartal Dr. Lutfi Kirdar City Hospital, Istanbul , TURKEY

This is a retrospective analysis of 17 patients who underwent the corneal patch graft procedure. We reviewed the clinical indications, visual acuities, pre-operative place of corneal lesions and pre-operative amnion membrane implantation story. Anatomical and functional success was evaluated after follow-up.

Seventeen eyes of 17 patient with a mean follow-up of 16.9 ± 13.8 months (range 6-58 months) were included. The most common indication was corneal perforation secondary to microbial keratitis (7 eyes, 41.2%). Other ethiological factors were systemic otoimmun disease (3 eyes, 17.6%), trauma (3 eyes, 17.6%), and spontaneous perforation of unknown origin (3 eyes, 17.6%), keratoconus (1 eye, 5.9%). Amniotic membrane was transplantated before in 7 of 17 eyes (41.2%). The most common place of perforation has been seen in central cornea (12 eyes, 70.6%). Anatomic success was achieved in all eyes in which no further surgical intervention was required for tectonicity. Functional success was achieved in 12 of 17 eyes (70.2%). The mean of the best-corrected visual acuity improved from logMAR 2.12± 0.65 preoperatively to logMAR 1.39 ± 0.8 postoperatively, at the final follow-up (P = .001, Wilcoxon rank sum test).

Corneal patch graft application is a time-saving application in terms of ensuring globe integrity in patients requiring urgent transplantation. In addition to providing anatomical success, it is also possible to achieve functional success in the vast majority of cases.