CORNEAL PERFORATIONS - CHANGING METHODS OF TREATMENT, 1960-1980

  • 1 January 1982
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 89  (6) , 630-635
Abstract
Nontraumatic corneal perforations or descemetoceles (104) in patients admitted to the Wilmer Institute [Baltimore, Maryland, USA] from 1960-1980 were studied retrospectively, with follow-up data obtained from records or from referral physicians for 87 of these perforations. Of the cases, 49% were caused by bacterial corneal ulcers, 13% by exposure, 12% by chemical burns, 6% by fungal keratitis, 5% by herpes simplex keratitis and 15% were undiagnosed. Since the start of tissue adhesive use at the Wilmer Institute in 1974, there was an apparent trend towards a lower enucleation rate (6%) in corneal perforations treated with tissue adhesive as compared to 19% in perforations treated by other therapies, although the cases may not be entirely comparable. An improved visual result of 20/200 or betterwas achieved in 29% of patients treated with tissue adhesive as compared to 19% with other treatments.