title: Corneal and scleral trauma.
abstract: Corneal and scleral wounds commonly occur in the context of serious eye trauma, and their management requires careful evaluation and planning prior to closure. The globe must be closed so that it is watertight with the original anatomy restored and the original function can be as closely approximated as possible. Closure of the cornea and sclera is different from the typical skin technique of "halving" the wound. Long corneal wounds are closed utilizing the Rowsey-Hays technique whereas scleral wounds extending posteriorly are closed in a stepwise fashion, proceeding posteriorly only after the anterior portion has been sutured. Suture removal from the cornea is dependent on a variety of factors including length of the laceration, age of the patient, and Keratorefractive anomalies caused by the sutures themselves.
authors.affiliation: Department of Ophthalmology, Baylor College of Medicine, 6565 Fannin, NC 205, Houston, TX 77030, USA. mhamill@bcm.unc.edu
authors.forename: M Bowes
authors.initials: MB
authors.lastname: Hamill
mesh_terms: D065306:Corneal Injuries; D015807:Eye Injuries, Penetrating / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic; D012590:Sclera / Q000293:injuries*