ABSTRACT

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.

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.

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

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