[The combined procedure of limbal transplantation (LT) and penetrating keratoplasty (PK) for severe ocular obsolete chemical or thermal burns].
OBJECTIVE
To improve the prognosis of grafts for obsolete ocular chemical or thermal burns.


METHODS
LT + PK or PK were performed in 28 eyes with severe chemical or thermal burns. The effects of the two groups were compared.


RESULTS
In LT + PK group(12 eyes), during 5 to 28 months of follow-up, the results showed improved visual acuity in 9 eyes (75%), maintained stable epithelial adhesion without recurrent erosion or persistent epithelial defect in 11 eyes (91.67%), graft transparent in 9 eyes (75%). Nine eyes (75%) showed prevented neovascularization and conjunctival tissue from growing into graft. Allograft rejection were identified in 4 eyes (33.33%). In routine PK group (16 eyes), during 3 to 22 months of follow-up, the results showed improved visual acuity in 4 eyes (25%), maintained stable epithelial adhesion without recurrent erosion or PCED in 8 eyes (50%), graft transparent in 4 eyes (25%). Four eyes (25%) showed prevented neovascularization and conjunctival tissue from growing into cornea.


CONCLUSIONS
Combined procedure of LT and PK is an effective treatment for severe ocular chemical or thermal burns. It can reduce persistent corneal epithelial defect and prevent neovascularization and conjunctival epithelial from growing into cornea thus maintaining graft transparent and improving visual acuity.
Gong
X
X
Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat-sen University of Medical Sciences, Guangzhou 510060, China.
Liu
H
H
Zhong
X
X
Chen
L
L
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002057:Burns, Chemical / Q000601:surgery*; D002648:Child; D016039:Corneal Transplantation / Q000379:methods*; D005126:Eye Burns / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D015948:Keratoplasty, Penetrating / Q000379:methods; D016850:Limbus Corneae; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D014792:Visual Acuity