[Modified technique of autologous conjunctival transplantation after corneal chemical burn].

BACKGROUND

A modified conjunctival plastic for the treatment of unilateral alkali burn in presented. This procedure is aimed at both reconstructing the limbal region while eliminating the symblephara, thus allowing free ocular motility and partial recovery of corneal transparency.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Two patients suffering from unilateral alkali burn underwent a conjunctival plastic according to a technique modified from Kenyon. Preoperatively, both patients exhibited a fully vascularized, scarred cornea as well as extensive symblephara. By transplanting both limbal and bulbar autologous conjunctiva from the healthy eye to the injured one, it was possible in the two cases to reestablish the limbal and fornix anatomy.

RESULTS

Postoperatively, free bulbar motility was achieved in both cases, while vision improved substantially only in the adult, not amblyopic patient who could obtain an uncorrected visual acuity of 0.05.

CONCLUSION

The modified conjunctival plastic employed in the two cases reported herein led to excellent anatomic results while allowing partial recovery of corneal transparency and improvement of vision.