The treatment of Terrien marginal degeneration using lamellar keratoplasty with dried corneosclera.

PURPOSE

To treat the Terrien marginal degeneration using lamellar keratoplasty with dried corneosclera and evaluate the clinical effect of this operation.

METHODS

The study included 78 cases with Terrien marginal degeneration who underwent the lamellar keratoplasty with dried corneosclera. Among them, 48 cases in experiment I group and 30 cases in experiment II group underwent lamellar keratoplasty with glycerin-preserved corneosclera and anhydrous calcium chloride-storeded corneosclera respectively. All the patients were followed-up from 6 months to 10 years. The control group consisted of 38 cases with Terrien marginal degeneration electively undergoing lamellar keratoplasty with fresh corneosclera simultaneously.

RESULTS

The area of the corneal thinning was mended and the eyeball was saved. The corneal astigmatism of the patients was corrected obviously. The patient's vision was improved significantly. No recurrence and rejection were observed after the operation. There is no significant difference between the experiment group (experiment I group or experiment II group) and control group. (P > 0.05), despite longer duration of postoperative corneal edema in experiment group.

CONCLUSIONS

The lamellar keratoplasty with dried corneosclera for treatment of Terrien marginal degeneration is a safe and effective operation. It is an alternative to lamellar keratoplasty with fresh corneosclera for treatment of Terrien marginal degeneration. It is suitable to be popularized in the local hospital of our country.