Pathophysiology and treatment of corneal hydrops.

The new application of thermokeratoplasty as a treatment of both acute and chronic hydrops is presented as a possible alternative to present treatment regimens. The histopathology of keratoconus and hydrops is reviewed relating to thermokeratoplasty effect. Clinical success was achieved in the elimination of pain from advanced chronic hydrops. With the closure of the breaks in Descement's membrane central corneal clearing occurred. In cases of total hydrops although complete resolution of the edema was not always found sufficient, clearing of the corneal periphery allowed for successful penetrating keratoplasty.