Penetrating keratoplasty with small-diameter and glycerin-cryopreserved grafts for eccentric corneal perforations.
OBJECTIVE
To report the outcome of penetrating keratoplasty with small-diameter and glycerin-cryopreserved grafts for eccentric corneal perforation.


METHODS
In this retrospective consecutive case series, 15 eyes of 15 patients with eccentric corneal perforations underwent small-diameter penetrating keratoplasties with glycerin-cryopreserved grafts. The corneal grafts used in this study were 2.5-4.5 mm in size and preserved at -20 degrees C in pure glycerin for 6 months to 5 years. The donors were secured with 6-8 sutures that spared the visual axis. The follow-up ranged from 7 to 36 months. Clarity of the grafts was observed, and changes in visual acuity and keratometric astigmatism were analyzed.


RESULTS
: Global integrity was achieved in all eyes. All grafts remained clear at the end of the follow-up time. No immune rejection was detected. No complicated cataract or secondary glaucoma was developed. The uncorrected visual acuity improved from preoperative 20/2000 approximately 20/60 to postoperative 20/40 approximately 20/20, and the best-corrected visual acuity after surgery was 20/30 or better. The mean value of keratometric astigmatism was 2.47 +/- 0.78 diopters postoperatively.


CONCLUSIONS
Small-diameter penetrating keratoplasty seems to be effective in treating various eccentric corneal perforations. Glycerin-cryopreserved donors may be a suitable alternative to fresh material for this technique, which solves the problem of shortage in supplying corneas and can be used in an emergency.
Shi
Weiyun
W
State Key Laboratory Cultivation Base, Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Shandong Eye Institute, Qingdao, China.
Liu
Mingna
M
Gao
Hua
H
Li
Suxia
S
Wang
Ting
T
Xie
Lixin
L
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001251:Astigmatism / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D002648:Child; D003315:Cornea; D003316:Corneal Diseases / Q000150:complications / Q000601:surgery*; D065306:Corneal Injuries; D003320:Corneal Ulcer / Q000601:surgery; D015925:Cryopreservation; D003451:Cryoprotective Agents; D015818:Eye Infections, Bacterial; D015821:Eye Infections, Fungal; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005990:Glycerol; D006085:Graft Survival; D006801:Humans; D007634:Keratitis / Q000382:microbiology / Q000601:surgery; D016849:Keratitis, Herpetic / Q000601:surgery; D015948:Keratoplasty, Penetrating / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011184:Postoperative Period; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D014792:Visual Acuity; D014950:Wounds, Penetrating / Q000150:complications / Q000601:surgery; D055815:Young Adult
D003451:Cryoprotective Agents; D005990:Glycerol