Efficacy of Tectonic Corneal Patch Graft for Progressive Peripheral Corneal Thinning

Objectives: To report the results of tectonic corneal patch graft (TCPG) in patients with progressive peripheral corneal thinning (PCT). Materials and Methods: In this study, we included 8 patients who underwent TCPG for PCT or perforated corneal ulceration at Ankara Training and Research Hospital. Results: We performed TCPG in 7 patients for PCT and in 1 patient for perforated corneal ulceration. Mean age was 57.2±16.7 (38- 82) years. Postoperative follow-up time ranged from 6 to 24 months (mean 13.9±6.7). Possible etiologies leading to progressive PCT were trachoma, infectious corneal ulcer, and rheumatoid arthritis-severe dry eye in 2 patients each. Other 2 patients had a progressive PCT following ocular surgery. One of the patients with infectious corneal ulcer also had a trauma caused by a scissor. Amnion membrane transplantation was performed in 3 patients prior to TCPG. While the anatomic success was achieved in all 8 patients, best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) was 0.1 or better in 4 patients (50%). Postoperative BCVA was better than preoperative BCVA in 6 patients (75%). Local peripheral anterior synechiae developed in two eyes. Conclusion: TCPG is a useful therapeutic option in selected cases of corneal thinning and perforations because it effectively restores the integrity of the globe and allows acceptable visual results. (Turk J Ophthalmol 2014; 44: 440-4)