Posters

Use of diathermy for the treatment of chronic refractory corneal neovascularization

Poster Details

First Author: E.Samutelela SWITZERLAND

Co Author(s): E. Kaisari   N. Voulgari   K. Aliferis   G. Kymionis           

Abstract Details

Purpose:

To present the use of radiofrequency diathermy for chronic resistant corneal vascularization

Setting:

pilot case series study, at University of Lausanne, Jules Gonin Eye Hospital, on the efficacy and safety of radiofrequency diathermy for treatmentof chronic corneal neovascularization.

Methods:

Patients with chronic corneal neovascularization refractory to medical and laser tratment were included in the study. Radiofrequency diathermy was conducted by senior cornea specialist (GK) on an outpatient basis Under topical anaesthesia using the slit lamp biomicroscope. Slit lamp examinatio, visual acuity and anterior segment optical coherence tomography were performed and at 6 months follow-up analysis of neovascular regression was conducted on slit lamp photographs.

Results:

Four patients were included in the study (2 females /2 males). Neovascularization in the fisrt two cases was secondary to herpetic keratitis, in the third case due to Pseudomonas aeruginosa abscess and the fourth case following a corneal graft for keratoconus. In every patient, we observed a significant regression of neovascularization, reduction in lipid deposisiton and corneal opacification. The procedure was well tolerated and there were no complications.

Conclusions:

This is the first report on radiofrequency diathermy for the succesful treatment of refractory corneal neovascularization. Radiofrequency diathermy seems to represent a minimally invasive treatment for chronic resistant corneal neovascularization.

Financial Disclosure:

None