Abstract

GOMEZ CASTILLO, Zulema et al. Confocal microscopy in patients operated from penetrating keratoplasty. Rev Cubana Oftalmol [online]. 2009, vol.22, n.1, pp. 0-0. ISSN 1561-3070.

Confocal microscopy is a practical, exploratory and less invassive examination that allows finding out the microscopic characteristics of the corneal tissue after transplantation, so it is a very useful tool for the management of patients operated from keratoplasty. The present paper was aimed at describing the characteristics of the corneal tissue in patients undergoing this type of transplantation through in vivo confocal microscopy. METHODS: A cross-sectional descriptive study was carried out in 40 eyes from 40 patients operated with penetrating keratoplasty in the Corneal Service of "Ramón Pando Ferrer" Cuban Institute of Ophthalmology from March 2006 to March 2007. A clinical ophthalmologic history was drafted, and they were all subjected to confocal microscopic examination of the corneal graft using confocal microscope CONFOSCAN 4. RESULTS: Pseuphakic bullosa keratopathy was the most common disease prior to surgery and was present in 77.5 % of patients. Corneal thickness decreased in 72.5 % of the operated patients. The epithelium was altered in 62.5 %. All of them presented with problems in the endotelial cellular form and size. Nervous plexuses were not observed in 82.5 % of patients. CONCLUSIONS: Confocal microscopy as a new science in the field of ophthalmology favors the follow-up of penetrating keratoplasty and allows preventing possible complications and assuring the success of surgery and the restoration of the refractive function of the cornea.

Keywords : confocal microscopy; keratoplasty.

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