A case series study: Corneal lesions and subsequent needs for Corneal Grafting

Abstract

Background: Corneal lesions handicap all age groups and corneal grafts, provided by do-nors, treat most of the isolated corneal lesions that has wide diverse etiologies. Methods and patients: This study analyzed corneal lesion etiologies and determined the percentage of candidates that required corneal grafts.  This study was conducted in Al-Thawra Modern General hospital (ATGMH) in 2004. We enrolled all new patients with cor-neal lesions attending the clinic during the study period. The corneal lesions were either isolated or combined with other eye lesions. We determined the demography, etiology, and visual acuity by Snellen's E- chart, slit lamp, ultrasound, and accordingly documented the plan of treatment. Those that had trauma and/or inflammation were treated with followed up for two months to plan their potential need for corneal graft. Results: From 1440 ophthalmic patients visiting the eye clinic in 2004, the incidence rates of eyes affected by corneal lesions were 9.41% (N=135). Among the causes requiring primary and secondary level intervention were trauma (61) 4.236% and inflammation (18) 1.25%. Among the treated suffers, 15% obtained visual acuity 6/36 and better. Tertiary intervention by corneal graft was required among degenerative lesions (9) 0.625%, keratoconus (12) 0.833%, edema (12) 0.833%, dryness (7) 0.278%, dystrophy (6) 0.416%. Meanwhile, the fourth level required cosmetic treatment and rehabilitation. The lesions were bilateral in (27) 20%, congenital in (6) 0.416% and tumors found in (2) 0.138%.

Conclusion: The incidence of corneal lesions was high (9.4%) among our patients, 63.94% were due to preventable trauma and inflammation and 69% were candidates for corneal graft.