Program list

Preventing corneal epithelial complications in vitreoretinal surgery

Hattenbach LO, Kacer B, Koch F

Frankfurt, Germany

Several studies suggest that corneal complications such as edema requiring intraoperative epithelial debridement, epithelial defects or delayed postoperative healing of corneal epithelial defects constitute a common problem in patients who undergo vitreoretinal surgery. In particular, diabetics or individuals with penetrating ocular trauma are at risk to develop complications involving the corneal epithelium.
A review of the significance of several predisposing factors and current approaches to minimize the intraoperative risk of corneal damage is provided. Furthermore, we report on the results of a prospective study on the intraoperative use of a viscoelastic agent in the prevention of corneal epithelial complications