Clinical Outcomes Of Alcohol Delamination As A Treatment Modality For Recurrent Corneal Erosions.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the clinical outcomes and efficacy of alcohol delamination as a treatment modality for recurrent corneal erosions.

Hull Royal Infirmary Eye Hospital, Hull, United Kingdom.

70 eyes were included in the study and alcohol delamination was performed as a first step treatment for patients having recurrent corneal erosions who failed to respond to conservative treatment. Patients were followed up for two years and clinical outcomes evaluated.

In our study >80% patients had a successful outcome with no recurrence after 2 years. There was no recurrence of symptoms or change in refractive error in any of these patients. No patient had intraoperative or postoperative complication. No patients had post operative haze which can be a complication resulting with photo therapeutic keratectomy (PTK). Patients with recurrence underwent PTK.

Alcohol delamination was an extremely effective, simple and inexpensive procedure. It had minimal or no effect on refractive error and causes no post-operative vision change. This can be particularly relevant in asymmetric and peripheral disease. Alcohol delamination can be decentered by moving the alcohol well without any refractive problems. With PTK, decentered treatments can cause significant optical aberrations. There are minimal risks of post-operative scarring or haze. It is highly effective with a >80% success rate with no recurrence over two years in our case series.