Amniotic membrane versus corneal stromal lenticule grafting for the management of corneal perforations: a retrospective study

Abstract

Purpose The aim of this study was to compare the use of femtosecond laser-assisted small-incision corneal stromal lenticule extraction with amniotic membrane (AM) grafting in the management of corneal perforation. Patients and methods Forty-five eyes with corneal perforation were included in this study after reviewing patients’ records from January 2014 to January 2016. Thirty cases (30 eyes) were treated by AM transplantation and 15 cases (15 eyes) were treated by small-incision corneal stromal lenticule extraction lenticules. The patients were monitored for at least 3 months examining the best-corrected visual acuity, anterior chamber formation, and sealing of the perforation using slit-lamp biomicroscopy. Postoperative complications throughout the follow-up period were recorded. Results Corneal perforations were successfully sealed in all 45 cases (45 eyes), with insignificant difference between both procedures. During the follow-up period of 3 months, no evidence of infection, relapse or perforation was detected in any patient. Conclusion Both AM and stromal lenticule grafting seem to be effective initial emergency treatments for corneal perforation in case of corneal graft shortage, with no complications, relapses nor immunological rejection noted throughout the study period.

Keywords

• amniotic membrane transplantation
• corneal perforation
• lenticule