Clinical effect of lamellar keratoplasty for corneal perforating injuries with corneal defects

Abstract

Objective To evaluate the clinical effect of lamellar keratoplasty for corneal perforating injuries with corneal defects. Methods Fifty-four cases (54 eyes) of corneal perforating injuries with corneal defects were randomly divided into observation group (21 eyes) and control group (33 eyes). Patients in observation group accepted lamllar keratoplasty, while patients in control group accepted debridement and suturing. The best corrected visual acuity, corneal astigmatism and intraocular pressure were observed 3 months after the operation. Results At the last follow-up, the corneas of patients in observation group remained transparent and restored to the normal thickness. There were no complications such as corneal haze, scar, graft rejection or postoperative rise of intraocular pressure. The postoperative visual acuity was 0.1-0.3 in 15 eyes, 0.4-0.5 in 2 eyes and the visual acuity improved in 17 eyes accounting for 80.95%. While in control group, the postoperative visual acuity was 0.08-0.3 in 14 eyes, 0.4-0.5 in 2 eyes and the visual acuity improved in 16 eyes accounting for 48.48%. The difference in the percentage of visual acuity improvement between the two groups was statistically significant (χ2=5.69, P=0.017). The mean corneal astigmatisms were (-1.50±0.25) D in observation group and (-4.50±0.75) D in control group and the difference was statistically significant (t=17.66, P=0.013). Postoperative intraocular pressure was normal in both groups. Conclusion Lamellar keratoplasty is an effective method for corneal perforating injuries with corneal defects. Key words: Corneal perforating injuries; Corneal defect; Lamellar keratoplasty; Effect, clinical