Ocular alkali burns: limbal autograft

ABSTRACT

The authors present five patients treated with limbal autograft for serious recent ocular alkali burns, in four of whom it has permitted healing of recurrent corneal ulcers or the reduction in the period of conjunctival recovery. Functional amelioration is also important and this intervention has permitted a useful visual acuity. One case was complicated by bacterial keratitis, but our experience has confirmed the efficacy of the technique for managing surface ocular disorders. However there have been few reports hitherto of the use of limbal autografts for serious ocular burns, and our study has demonstrated its usefulness in this setting and the appropriate timing. VIDEOTAPES(U-Matic or VHS) The authors report their surgical technique of limbal autograft use in recent and severe ocular burn, a modification of Kenyon and Tseng's technique. The physical signs used as indicators for surgery, the selection of the limbal region and methods of following the graft, are presented.(AU)