Posters

Delayed epithelial healing after deep anterior lamellar keratoplasty

Poster Details

First Author: D.Anwar IRAQ

Co Author(s):    R. Abubaker                    

Abstract Details

Purpose:

Delayed epithelial healing is more prevalent after deep anterior lamellar keratoplasty (DALK). In this study we discuss its causative factor.

Setting:

Neega Eye Center

Methods:

Ten eyes underwent DALK had delayed epithelial healing. Delayed epithelial healing was defined as presence of epithelial defect 30 days after DALK surgery compared to another 10 eyes underwent DALK with delayed epithelial healing ( healing happed in two weeks or less). Anterior segment OCT was performed for all patients in both groups.

Results:

Eyes with delayed epithelial healing had raised donor cornea edge by average of 132 microns at least in one quadrant of the cornea.Eyes without delayed epithelial healing had raised donor edge of 40 microns average (P= 0.0018). Bandage contact lens did not help in healing of the epithelial defect. Pressure patch for one week helped treating those cases with delayed epithelial healing.

Conclusions:

Delayed epithelial healing is of more occurrences in DALK than penetrating keratoplasty (PKP). We found the reason in this study to be due to raised donor edge in at least one quadrant of the cornea making the stem cells have difficulty producing epithelial cells over the raised edge. Pressure patch was the only effective way to treat those cases. Better dissection at the recipient edge is needed for the donor cornea to sit better. Suturing technique different from PKP suturing technique is needed to make the donor and recipient edges oppose together better.

Financial Disclosure:

None