Cosmetic Repair of Corneal Opacity by Tattooing

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: To evaluate the efficacy of tattooing with tissue marking dye for cosmetic repair of corneal opacity. METHODS: Tattooing by the injection of tissue marking dye into the corneal stroma was performed in 67 eyes of 67 patients in whom there were no changes in visual acuity or size of corneal opacity for at least 5 years. Conjunctivalized corneal opacities and calcium deposits were removed before tattooing. All patients were followed up for a period of at least 3 months. RESULTS: The most common causes of corneal opacity were trauma (56.6%) and infectious disease (19.4%). Combined ocular diseases included sensory exotropia (43.3%) and band keratopathy (31.3%). In this study, 98.5% of patients showed satisfactory results with cosmetic staining. Remaining opacity was observed in 1 eye (1.5%). Intraoperative complications occurred in 6 eyes (9.0%) and were resolved completely during surgery. Foreign body sensations (38.8%) and conjunctival injection (32.8%) disappeared within 2 months after surgery. CONCLUSIONS: Cosmetic repair by tattooing using tissue marking dye is an effective treatment for corneal opacity and is not associated with any significant complications.