Case Report: Use Of Cyanoacrylate Glue In Recurrent Epithelial Ingrowth

Treatment of a case with recurrent epithelial ingrowth after LASIK- use of Cyanoacrylate glue.

A complicated case of a patient after LASIK surgery who suffered Central Toxic Keratopathy (CTK) and developed recurring epithelial ingrowth. 

30 y. o. female patient underwent elective LASIK surgery in 21.10.2021. for treatment of myopia and astigmatism. On 28.10.2021. the patient developed rapid deterioration of her vision in the right eye. A diagnosis of Central Toxic Keratopathy (CTK) was confirmed. The patient underwent surgical and medical intervention. The CTK resolved over time leaving a central region of opacification in the cornea and developed epithelial ingrowth. On 12.01.2022. interface epithelial debridement was performed. The patient was observed over time. Recurrent epithelial ingrowth occurred in October 2023 and debridement was performed; additionally cyanoacrylate glue was applied on the site of epithelial ingrowth at the gutter of LASIK flap margin. Postoperatively over a period of 6 months the patient had periodically recurrent complaints of irritation, redness in the right eye due to recurrent epithelial erosion above the glue material. Under slit-lamp examination over a period of 6 months time a separation of glue material in small flakes/pieces was observed and manually removed. On September 2024 under slit lamp examination no residual glue material was observed and the patient had no active complaints. On the site of glueing scar tissue had occurred, good flap adherence was present and no epithelial cells were observed underneath LASIK flap.

Cyanoacrylate glue can be a useful tool in treatment for recurring epithelial ingrowth.