[Corneal puncture in recurrent corneal erosion]

Area of Science:

• Ophthalmology
• Corneal Surgery
• Ocular Surface Disease

Context:

• Recurrent corneal erosion, including posttraumatic, dystrophic, and idiopathic forms, often persists despite conventional treatments like patching, bandage lenses, and debridement.
• Conventional therapies frequently fail to prevent long-term recurrences of corneal erosion.
• A significant unmet need exists for effective treatments for refractory recurrent corneal erosion.

Purpose:

• To evaluate the safety and efficacy of anterior stromal puncture for treating recurrent corneal erosion unresponsive to conventional therapy.
• To assess the recurrence rates and complication profile following anterior stromal puncture.
• To determine the long-term outcomes of anterior stromal puncture in a cohort of patients with recurrent corneal erosion.

Summary:

• Anterior stromal puncture was performed on 47 eyes of 45 patients with recurrent corneal erosion refractory to conventional treatment between February 1990 and June 1992.
• The procedure was found to be safe when performed under an operating microscope, with no perforations or significant early/late postoperative complications observed.
• Approximately 81% of patients experienced no further recurrences, and an additional 11% had a significant reduction in recurrence frequency, with similar positive outcomes for dystrophic and posttraumatic etiologies.

Impact:

• Anterior stromal puncture demonstrates a high success rate in preventing or reducing recurrences of corneal erosion.
• The procedure is safe and effective, offering a valuable therapeutic option for patients with recurrent corneal erosion.
• Further controlled studies with larger patient groups and longer follow-up are warranted for definitive conclusions.