Safety And Efficacy Of Fine-Needle Diathermy For Corneal Neovascularization

Assessment of safety and efficacy of fine needle diathermy (FND) for the management of corneal neovasculature in a series of patients.

Corneal Service, 2nd Ophthalmology Department, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece

A total of 30 eyes from 30 patients were treated with fine needle diathermy for secondary corneal neovascularization. The intervention was followed by a single subconjunctival injection of triamcinolone in the respective quadrant. Patients were followed up over a 12-month period measuring the area occupied by neovascular vessels and best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA).

The mean age was 58 years (SD=15years, range = 30-90 years), 50% female, and all the patients had unilateral involvement. The causes of corneal neovascularization were herpes simplex virus keratitis(n=14), bacterial keratitis(n=2), acanthamoeba keratitis(n=2), marginal keratitis(n=2), band keratopathy(n=3), corneal ulcers(n=3) and post-PK(n=4). All cases showed regression at the follow-up period whereas 15% needed repeat procedure after 1 month follow-up. BCVA showed improvement postoperatively with significant difference in cases of herpetic and bacterial aetiology.

Fine-needle diathermy seems to be a safe and efficient treatment option for the regression of corneal neovascularization and particularly successful in herpetic and bacterial keratitis. The addition of subconjunctival triamcinolone shows potential benefit in the long-term follow up.