Electrolytic removal of recurrence of granular corneal dystrophy.
OBJECTIVE
To report the efficacy of corneal electrolysis for the treatment of recurrent corneal opacities at the subepithelial region or at the host-graft interface of the stroma in granular corneal dystrophy (GCD).


METHODS
In patients with recurrences of opacities at the host-graft interface of the stroma after lamellar keratoplasty, the deep aspect of the graft was partially separated from host tissue to expose the deposits. The graft was everted, and electrolysis was applied directly to remove the deposits attached to both surfaces of the host and the graft. Then the graft was returned to its place and sutured. In patients with diffuse subepithelial opacities following penetrating keratoplasty, electrolysis was applied directly to the corneal surface.


RESULTS
Deposits in the subepithelial region or at the host-graft interface of the stroma disappeared following treatment, and vision recovered. However, GCD recurred 2-3 years after the treatment.


CONCLUSIONS
Corneal electrolysis is a simple, easy, and inexpensive way to remove deposits that recur after lamellar or penetrating keratoplasty for GCD.
Mashima
Y
Y
Department of Ophthalmology, Keio University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan. mashima@sc.itc.keio.ac.jp
Kawashima
M
M
Yamada
M
M
D000368:Aged; D003317:Corneal Dystrophies, Hereditary / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D003318:Corneal Opacity / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy*; D016039:Corneal Transplantation; D004572:Electrolysis / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012008:Recurrence