TY - JOUR T1 - Alcohol delamination of the corneal epithelium for recalcitrant recurrent corneal erosion syndrome: a prospective study of efficacy and safety JF - British Journal of Ophthalmology JO - Br J Ophthalmol SP - 908 LP - 911 DO - 10.1136/bjo.2006.112912 VL - 91 IS - 7 AU - Ravinder P Singh AU - Dev Raj AU - Anupama Pherwani AU - Ruby Lagnado AU - Asiya Abedin AU - Habibullah Eatamadi AU - Manu Mathew AU - Harminder S Dua Y1 - 2007/07/01 UR - http://bjo.bmj.com/content/91/7/908.abstract N2 - Aim: To investigate the safety and efficacy of alcohol delamination of the corneal epithelium for recalcitrant recurrent corneal erosion syndrome (RCE) in a prospective non-comparative interventional case series. Methods: Patients with RCE who remained symptomatic despite topical lubrication and 3-month use of an extended wear (bandage) contact lens were included. The intensity of pain on a scale of 1 to 10, and duration and frequency of attacks were recorded. Patients were treated with alcohol delamination and followed up at 1 week, 1 month and then at 12 months, which was the minimum follow up time. Success was defined as a resolution of symptoms after 1 month of treatment, and partial success as a significant reduction in symptoms manageable with topical lubricants, and failure where symptoms were unchanged or worsened. Results: 20 eyes of 20 patients with RCE caused by trauma (nā€Š=ā€Š14), anterior basement membrane dystrophy (nā€Š=ā€Š5) or idiopathic (1) were studied. The mean age of patients was 44 years and mean follow-up 24 months. Two eyes were lost to follow-up. 15 (83%) eyes were qualified as successes, 3 as partial successes and no failures were seen. No intraoperative complications were observed. 1 patient developed transient subepithelial haze that resolved with topical steroid, 1 had a change in refraction and 1 developed herpetic stromal keratitis 2 months postoperatively, which was successfully treated. No loss of vision was observed in any of the patients. Conclusion: Alcohol delamination of the corneal epithelium is a safe and effective method for treating patients with recalcitrant RCE. ER -