Anterior stromal puncture for bullous keratopathy.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the effects of anterior stromal punctures on the symptomatic relief of patients with bullous keratopathy considered ineligible for penetrating keratoplasty.


METHODS
Five eyes of five patients with bullous keratopathy who had intolerable pain, tearing, and photophobia and were ineligible for penetrating keratoplasty were enrolled. Under slit-lamp magnification, anterior stromal punctures were applied directly at the bullae with a 24-gauge needle. Supplementary anterior stromal punctures were applied for recurrent bullae, if any, during the follow-up. The condition of the cornea was recorded by taking photographs. Pain and discomfort were subjectively evaluated.


RESULTS
A significant reduction in pain and tearing was achieved. Epithelial and subepithelial fibrosis with scarred small bullae formation was observed during the follow-up.


CONCLUSIONS
The anterior stromal puncture is an effective and low-cost method to relieve troublesome symptoms in patients with bullous keratopathy who are not eligible for corneal grafts.
D000368:Aged; D003316:Corneal Diseases / Q000601:surgery*; D003319:Corneal Stroma / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011677:Punctures / Q000379:methods*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014792:Visual Acuity