7 Cases of Combined Corneal Tattooing and Amniotic Membrane Transplantation in Bullous Keratopathy

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: We report on the clinical efficacy of the combined operation of corneal tattooing and amniotic membrane transplantation on the treatment of bullous keratopathy in patients with poor visual potentials. CASE SUMMARY: We performed corneal tattooing and amniotic membrane transplantation in 7 eyes with bullous keratopathy. Postoperatively, we assessed the status of corneal reepithelialization, postoperative pain, and cosmetic effects. In all cases but one, corneal reepithelialization was successful without pain, and the corneal tattooing persisted throughout the follow-up period. In one case, a corneal epithelial defect developed, so we performed an additional amniotic membrane transplantation. After 2 weeks, the corneal epithelial defect healed and caused no further pain. CONCLUSIONS: The combined operation of corneal tattooing and amniotic membrane transplantation is a good choice for the treatment of bullous keratopathy with regard to cosmetic problems, pain, and poor visual potential.