Clinical observation of new method for removal of corneal foreign bodies with corneal edema

Abstract

Objective To observe the efficacy of annular separation and whole foreign body removal combined with hypertonic glucose eye drops in the treatment of corneal iron foreign bodies with corneal edema. Methods One hundred and eight eyes of 108 patients of corneal iron foreign bodies with corneal edema were randomly devided into observation group (54 patients, 54 eyes) and control group (54patients, 54 eyes). The patients in observation group underwent annular separation whole foreign body removal, then were given levofloxacin eye drops, recombinant human epidermal growth factor eye drops and 50% glucose eye drops. The patients in control group underwent annular separation whole foreign body removal, then were given the eye drops as observation group except for 50% glucose eye drop. Patients visited on the 2, 4, 6, 8 d after removal of corneal foreign bodies. The ocular symptoms, corneal edema and wound healing of the cornea were observed. Central corneal thickness was measured using OCT. Results On the 4th day after removal of corneal foreign bodies, the cure rate was 70.37% in the observation group and 48.15% in control group (χ2=39.19, P=0.028). On the 6th day after removal of corneal foreign bodies, the cure rate was 96.30% in the observation group and 87.04% in control group (χ2=64.36, P=0.035). The average time of corneal edema cure was (3.92±0.18) days in the observation group and (4.75±0.25) days in control group (t=5.32, P=0.023). The average time of corneal wound healing was (5.25±0.15) days in the observation group and (6.95±0.21) days in control group (t=4.59, P=0.016). Conclusion Annular separation and whole corneal foreign body removal combined with hypertonic glucose eyedrops for treatment of corneal iron foreign bodies with corneal edema is remarkably effective, it can significantly accelerate detumescence and shorten the course. Key words: Foreign body, cornea; Conrneal edema; Glucose solution, hypertonic