Alcohol delamination of the corneal epithelium for recurrent corneal erosion syndrome

AIM： To evaluate the outcomes of alcohol delamination（ALD） of the corneal epithelium for the treatment of recurrent corneal erosion syndrome（RCES） and to implement a standardized treatment protocol for this condition utilizing evidence based practice and the findings of an internal audit. METHODS： A retrospective analysis of 42 eyes of 40 patients diagnosed with RCES who were treated with ALD between January 2006 and March 2016 was conducted. Patients had 20% alcohol applied to the cornea with the use of a well for 40 s. Patients were reviewed one week later in the Outpatient Department. Outcome criteria were established based on standards from other studies in the medical literature. These included, a treatment success rate of at least 72%（defined as complete resolution of symptoms one month after treatment）, a postoperative complication a rate of 〈5%（mainly infective keratitis, and subepithelial haze）, and the absence of any detrimental effect on visual acuity in ≥95% of patients. RESULTS： The mean age at the time of ALD was 41.17±13.44 y. Patients were followed for an average of 12.8±15.65 mo. The majority were female（52.5%, n=21） and the majority of eyes treated with ALD were left eyes（62.9%, n=26）. Trauma was the primary aetiology in our study population. Treatment was successful in 73.8%（n=31） of eyes and in 75%（n=30） of patients. Recurrence occurred in 26.2% of eyes at a mean of 10.41±12.63 mo post treatment. CONCLUSION： ALD is an efficacious and cost-effective primary surgical intervention for RCES.

Superglue injuries of the eye

AIM: To report various ocular lesions caused by accidental instillation of superglue. METHODS: Three cases of ocular injuries are described in children aged 6 years, 3 years and 8 months, following accidental instillation of superglue in the eye. RESULTS: In the first case there was sticking of eyelashes in the medial 1/3 of eyelids in both eyes. In the second case sticking of eye lashes was present in the lateral 1/3 of eyelids in the left eye. In the third case, superglue was present on the right cheek, above the right ear and sticking of eyelids in medial 1/3 in right eye. The eyelids were separated by pulling the lid margins with fingers in the first case and later on superglue was removed by trimming the eyelashes; and by direct trimming the eyelashes in second and third cases. There was no injury to other structures of anterior segment in the first two cases. However, removal of the superglue on the cornea resulted in corneal abrasion in the third case which healed with medical treatment and patching of the right eye. CONCLUSION: Accidental instillation of superglue is possible because of the appearance of the tube like eye ointment tube. Immediate medical aid will prevent ocular morbidity.