Use of Autologous Tenon's Capsule Graft for Repair of Traumatic Scleral Perforation

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: To report the use of autologous Tenon's capsule graft for repair of scleral defects caused by traumatic scleral perforation. CASE SUMMARY: An 81-year-old man presented with loss of vision in his right eye after a perforating injury caused by a cow horn. Examination showed a laceration of the sclera at 12 o'clock approximately 5~6 mm in length, and a uveal tissue was prolapsed into the wound. The best corrected visual acuity was 0.1. Primary repair of the eye was insufficient because of tissue loss. The inferonasal Tenon's capsule graft was carefully dissected from the sclera and tailored to fit the defect. The graft was covered with a conjunctival flap. The scleral defect was successfully closed with the autologous Tenon's capsule graft. Three months after grafting, phacoemulsification with intraocular lens implantation was performed. CONCLUSIONS: Autologous Tenon's capsule graft is an effective measure to repair traumatic scleral defects and is useful when patch grafts are unexpectedly needed.