[Keratoplasty for severe lagophthalmic keratitis in patients with long-term artificial respiration]

The authors report on 2 patients who developed dense opacities of the thinned cornea during long-term unconsciousness under intensive care, due to insufficient care of the cornea in the case of lagophthalmic keratitis. Although the keratoplasty performed was finally successful, postoperative treatment was very difficult, because the very thin host cornea made re-suturing necessary. The authors recommend using a donor graft 0.2 to 0.3 mm larger in such cases. In order to prevent a keratitis with subsequent corneal opacities. It is very important to instruct the nursing staff to take care to apply eye ointments regularly in unconscious patients with lagophthalmus.