[Keratography (corneal tattooing) in corneal leukoma].
BACKGROUND
Since antiquity attempts have been made to minimize disfigurement and stigmatization of patients with leukoma. Keratography is a relatively new method for imprinting color pigments into the corneal stroma with an entomological needle.


METHODS
Keratography was performed in 20 patients at the University Eye Hospital, Munich, between November 1997 and September 1999. Patients had either a leukoma that did not tolerate prothesis or had another cloudy corneal disease. The operation was carried out in our outpatient clinic under local anesthesia.


RESULTS
There was a single operation in three patients, two operations in nine, three operations in six, and four operations in two. Postoperatively 33% of patients complained of pain. No postoperative bacterial keratitis or perforation occurred.


CONCLUSIONS
All patients were highly satisfied. The long-term stability of color pigments must still be evaluated.
Augenklinik der Universität, Klinikum Innenstadt, Ludwigmaximilians-Universität, München.
U C
UC
Schaller
E M
EM
van der Velden
B H
BH
Drost
S
S
Weede
V
V
Klauss
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000772:Anesthesia, Local; D002648:Child; D004396:Coloring Agents; D003315:Cornea / Q000601:surgery*; D003318:Corneal Opacity / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010149:Postoperative Pain / Q000209:etiology; D013653:Tattooing; D013997:Time Factors
D004396:Coloring Agents