Efficacy Of Alcohol Delamination Of Cornea For Recurrent Corneal Erosion

To assess the safety and efficacy of Alcohol Delamination of Corneal Epithelium (ADCE) for patients presenting with recurrent corneal erosion (RCE)

Retrospective review of 8 eyes of 7 patients who underwent Alcohol delamination of cornea for RCE at the Treatment Centre, Queens Hospital Burton between May 2021 and June 2024.

ADCE was only offered to those patients who remained symptomatic despite maximal conservative management in the form of lubrications or bandage contact lens wear. Success was defined as the absence of recurrence of corneal erosion. A circular well of appropriate diameter(10mm) to cover the area of erosions was placed onto the cornea and 18 percent alcohol was then instilled into the well. After 40 s, the alcohol was drained with a surgical sponge and the cornea irrigated with a balanced salt solution.The circular area of the epithelium treated with the alcohol was removed using a cellulose sponge. A bandage contact lens was placed at the end of the procedure.

 Mean age was 52.75 +/- 18.35 years. There were 6 females and 1 male. (1 female had bilateral procedure at separate intervals) Pre-op visual acuity was 0.17 +/-0.23 log mar which improved to 0.03 +/- 0.12 log mar post op. Aetiology of RCE was EBMD in 4 eyes, trauma in 2 eyes and dry eyes with MGD in 2 eyes.Mean number of recurrences preop was 3.25+/-0.66 Mean length of conservative management was 8.62+/- 5.33 months (range 3-20 months) Mean follow up period post op was 11.3 +/- 9.75 months (range 3-33 months) Success was achieved in 87.5% patients (7 out of 8 eyes had no recurrences during the follow up period) No intra or post op complications were noted in our series. 

ADCE is a safe and effective technique for treating patients with RCE refractory to conservative management.