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Epikeratophakia on pediatric traumatized corneas
A A Vila-Coro1, J D Goosey, M L Mazow
1Hermann Eye Center, University of Texas Health Science Center, Houston 77030-1697.
Insights
Epikeratophakia successfully restored vision in four young children with unilateral aphakia and corneal scarring from penetrating injuries. This procedure offers a viable treatment option for improving visual acuity in pediatric eyes with damaged corneas.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Pediatric Ophthalmology
- Corneal Surgery
Background:
- Unilateral aphakia and corneal scarring in children, often resulting from penetrating injuries, present significant visual impairment challenges.
- Traditional treatments may be limited by the extent of corneal opacity and scarring, necessitating alternative surgical approaches.
Observation:
- Four pediatric patients (ages 4-6) with unilateral aphakia and corneal scarring underwent epikeratophakia using non-lyophilized donor tissue.
- One patient also received a rotational penetrating keratoplasty to reposition the corneal scar before epikeratophakia.
Findings:
- The epikeratophakia procedure was successful in all four pediatric cases.
- The average best-corrected postoperative visual acuity achieved was 20/45.
- The study demonstrated successful outcomes even with partially opaque and scarred corneas.
Implications:
- Epikeratophakia is a safe and effective surgical option for treating pediatric aphakia with corneal scarring.
- These findings support the use of epikeratophakia in cases where corneal opacity compromises vision.
- The procedure holds promise for improving visual function in children with complex ocular injuries.
Abstract:
Four children ranging from 4 to 6 years of age with unilateral aphakia and corneal scarring secondary to penetrating injuries were treated with epikeratophakia. One child had undergone a rotational penetrating keratoplasty to displace the corneal scar from the visual axis prior to the epikeratophakia procedure. In all of the cases, nonlyophilized donor tissue was utilized. The procedure was successful in all four cases. The average best corrected postoperative visual acuity was 20/45. These results confirm prior studies suggesting that epikeratophakia can be performed successfully on partially opaque and scarred corneas in pediatric aphakic eyes.