Limbal Autograft, Symblepharon Removal And Cleaning After A Unilateral Chemical Burning.
Published 2023 - 41st Congress of the ESCRS
Reference: PO0137 | Type: Case report | DOI: 10.82333/dbdj-0y02
Authors: Elena Konstantinidou 1 , Anastasios John Kanellopoulos 2 , Dimitris Machairas 1 , Despoina Karadimou* 1 , Athanasios Zisimopoulos 1 , Alexandros John Kanellopoulos 1
1Ophthalmology,LaserVision Ambulatory Eye Surgery Unit,Athens,Greece, 2Ophthalmology,LaserVision Ambulatory Eye Surgery Unit,Athens,Greece;Ophthalmology,NYU Med School,New York,United States
To highlight the importance of limbal maintenance for the prognosis of chemical burns
The Laservision Clinical and Research Institute, Athens, Greece
A 41-year-old male presented to our clinic 4 months after a stage IV chemical (alkalic) burn at the left eye. The examination revealed superficial vascular pannos with limbal and conjunctival ischemia. The cornea was opaque (iris detail was barely recognizable). There was symphysis at the upper and lower eyelid without any cicatricial entropion or ectropion. The visual acuity of the left eye was hand movement and the intraocular pressure 17mmHg. We altered the therapy from Maxitrol 0/2 to Autologous serum 0/4, Dexamytrex oint 0/1 ands tb Vibramycin 100mg. 10 days later the cornea was less opaque. We then planned a late repair symblepharon release and cleaning and autograft limbal stem cell transplantation with amniotic membrane transplantation. 10 days after the operative procedure fornixes of the left eye are totally reconstructed, the mobility is free and the lid-globe relation is restored. The cornea is clear (patch amniotic membrane above) and visual acuity is counting fingers at 60cm
It is very important to sustain limbal stem cells for the transparency of the cornea and a normal eye function after a chemical burn as soon as possible. Thus, a later penetrating keratoplasty procedure may be averted.