[The artificial epithelium in chronic corneal diseases and to avoid emergency keratoplasty (author's transl)]

Report on the treatment of 41 patients in the last 10 years. In chronic corneal diseases epikeratoprosthesis is possible when every other therapy failed. With growing experience functional results are better and complications seldom. Since several years we use glued-on contact lenses in acute ulcers too in order to avoid emergency keratoplasty. When suitable donor material is missing or if plastic surgery of the eye lids is necessary the artificial epithelium prevents ulcer perforation as a mechanical collagenase inhibitor. The anterior chamber can be reinstalled in perforated ulcers by sealing with cyanoacrylate glue and covering with artificial epithelium. A corticosteroid therapy of the iritis becomes possible to avoid the frequent complication of anterior synechia in later keratoplasty. By reducing the steroid dosis vascularisation of the ulcer is reached and a corneal grafting can be evaded sometimes if the prognosis of keratoplasty is poor or the central cornea is clear such as in ulcers near the limbus.