Thermokeratoplasty in the treatment of persistent corneal hydrops
J. V. Aquavella, J. N. Buxton and E. L. Shaw
Thermokeratoplasty (TKP) was used to treat six cases of chronic corneal
hydrops previously refractory to traditional therapy. In all instances TKP
resulted in a clearing of the hydrops within three weeks. In four cases the
resultnat comfort and clarity precluded the necessity for transplantation,
while in the remaining two cases subsequent penetrating keratoplasty was
successfully performed. Thermokeratoplasty is advocated in chronic hydrops
refractive to standard therapy, in acute hydrops to accelerate recovery, in
recurrent hydrops to assist in healing of breaks in Descemet membrane, thus
preventing recurrences, in cases with extensive hydrops to deturgesce the
peripheral cornea prior to transplantation, and as definitive therapy in
cases where transplantation is contraindicated.
