rss
Br J Ophthalmol 2002;86:273-275 doi:10.1136/bjo.86.3.273
  • Scientific correspondence

Corneal electrolysis for recurrence of corneal stromal dystrophy after keratoplasty

  1. Y Mashima,
  2. M Kawai,
  3. M Yamada
  1. Department of Ophthalmology, Keio University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
  1. Correspondence to: Yukihiko Mashima, MD, Department of Ophthalmology, Keio University School of Medicine, 35 Shinanomachi, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo 160-8582, Japan; mashima{at}sc.itc.keio.ac.jp
  • Accepted 31 October 2001

Abstract

Aims: To evaluate corneal electrolysis as a treatment for recurrent diffuse corneal opacities at the host-graft interface of the stroma or at the subepithelial region in two types of granular corneal dystrophy (GCD).

Methods: Recurrence developed at the host-graft interface of the stroma after lamellar keratoplasty in a patient with Avellino corneal dystrophy (ACD). At surgery, the deep aspect of the graft in this patient was partially separated from host tissue to expose the deposits, with one third of the host-graft junction left intact. The graft was everted, and electrolysis was applied directly to remove the deposits attached to both surfaces of the host and the graft. Then the graft was returned to its place and sutured. In two patients with homozygous ACD and one patient with the superficial variant of GCD, diffuse subepithelial opacities developed following penetrating keratoplasty. Electrolysis was applied directly to the corneal surface.

Results: Deposits at the host-graft interface of the stroma and in the subepithelial region disappeared following treatment, and vision recovered in all patients.

Conclusions: This method is a simple, easy, and inexpensive way to remove deposits that recur after lamellar or penetrating keratoplasty.

Footnotes

    This Article

    1. Abstract
    2. Full text
    3. PDF

    Responses

    1. Submit a response
    2. No responses published

    Register for free content

    The full back archive is now available for all BMJ Journals. Institutional subscribers may access the entire archive as part of their subscription. Personal subscribers will also have access to all content when logged in. Non-subscribers who register have free access to all articles published before 2006 right back to volume 1 issue 1. Register here to access the free archive of all BMJ Journals.

    Don't forget to sign up for content alerts so you keep up to date with all the articles as they are published.