Original Article

Efficacy of Tectonic Corneal Patch Graft for Progressive Peripheral Corneal Thinning

10.4274/tjo.82584

  • Cafer Tanrıverdi
  • Mustafa Köşker
  • Uğur Acar
  • Ayşe Burcu
  • Mehmet Mustafa Onat
  • Firdevs Örnek

Received Date: 04.12.2013 Accepted Date: 13.06.2014 Turk J Ophthalmol 2014;44(6):440-444

Objectives:

To report the results of tectonic corneal patch graft (TCPG) in patients with progressive peripheral corneal thinning (PCT).

Ma­te­ri­als and Met­hods:

In this study, we included 8 patients who underwent TCPG for PCT or perforated corneal ulceration at Ankara Training and Research Hospital.

Re­sults:

We performed TCPG in 7 patients for PCT and in 1 patient for perforated corneal ulceration. Mean age was 57.2±16.7 (38-82) years. Postoperative follow-up time ranged from 6 to 24 months (mean 13.9±6.7). Possible etiologies leading to progressive PCT were trachoma, infectious corneal ulcer, and rheumatoid arthritis-severe dry eye in 2 patients each. Other 2 patients had a progressive PCT following ocular surgery. One of the patients with infectious corneal ulcer also had a trauma caused by a scissor. Amnion membrane transplantation was performed in 3 patients prior to TCPG. While the anatomic success was achieved in all 8 patients, best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) was 0.1 or better in 4 patients (50%). Postoperative BCVA was better than preoperative BCVA in 6 patients (75%). Local peripheral anterior synechiae developed in two eyes.

Conclusion:

TCPG is a useful therapeutic option in selected cases of corneal thinning and perforations because it effectively restores the integrity of the globe and allows acceptable visual results.

Keywords: Tectonic penetrating keratoplasty, peripheral corneal melting, peripheral corneal ulcer, corneal perforation

Full Text (Turkish)