The epidemiology of cosmetic treatments for corneal opacities in a Korean population.
OBJECTIVE
To describe etiologies and clinical characteristics of corneal opacities leading patients to seek cosmetic treatments.


METHODS
The medical records of 401 patients who presented for cosmetic improvement in corneal opacities between May 2004 and July 2007 were retrospectively reviewed. The following parameters were analyzed: age, gender, cause of corneal opacity, time course of the corneal disease, associated diseases, prior and current cosmetic treatments, visual acuity, location and depth of the corneal opacity, and the presence of either corneal neovascularization or band keratopathy. A single practitioner examined all patients.


RESULTS
The most common causes of corneal opacity were ocular trauma (203 eyes, 50.6%), retinal disease (62 eyes, 15.5%), measles (38 eyes, 9.5%), and congenital etiologies (22 eyes, 5.5%). Prior treatments included iris colored contact lenses (125 eyes, 31.1%) and corneal tattooing (34 eyes, 8.46%). A total of 321 of 401 eyes underwent cosmetic treatment for corneal opacities. The most common treatment performed after the primary visit was corneal tattooing (261 eyes, 64.92%).


CONCLUSIONS
This is the first study to investigate the causes and clinical characteristics of patients presenting for cosmetic treatment of corneal opacities rather than for functional improvement. Various cosmetic interventions are available for patients with corneal opacities, and these should be individualized for the needs of each patient.
Chang
Ki Cheol
KC
Seoul Artificial Eye Center, Seoul National University Hospital Clinical Research Institute, Seoul, Korea.
Kwon
Ji-Won
JW
Han
Young Keun
YK
Wee
Won Ryang
WR
Lee
Jin Hak
JH
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D044466:Asian People / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D003116:Color; D003261:Contact Lenses / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D003318:Corneal Opacity / Q000208:ethnology* / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy*; D004954:Esthetics; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013518:Surgery, Plastic / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D013653:Tattooing / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D055815:Young Adult