ABSTRACT
Purpose To evaluate the clinical effects of early lamellar corneoscleral transplantation in the management of severe alkali-burned eye. Methods The patients compatible with the Ⅲ or Ⅳ grades of Roper-Hall's standards were diveded into operating group and control group according to the post-burning interval which was less than 2 weeks or more.Depending on the presence or absence of scleral nacrosis,the patients in operating group were given a lamellar corneoscleral transplantation or a lamellar keratoplasty.The patients in control group did not receive any operation.The medication was the same in the two groups. Results During the following-up of 6 to 24 months,most cases in operating group had significantly improved vision postoperatively,less inflammatory congestion,lower incidence of corneal ulcertion,and less neovasculerization.No perforation occurred in any case of the operating group.Whilst in the control group,ulcerative perforation occurred in 6 of 10 eyes,leucoma accompanied by severe panus in 6 eyes,symblepharon in 5 eyes. Conclusions Debridement with early lamellar corneoscleral transplantation can effectively decrease the occurrence of corneal perforation,prevent symblepharon,shorten the time of inflammation,and improve visual acuity.