Tegaderm transparent dressing (3M) for the treatment of chronic exposure keratopathy

Ophthalmic Plast Reconstr Surg. 2003 Jan;19(1):75-6. doi: 10.1097/00002341-200301000-00010.

Abstract

We report an effective alternative treatment of profound chronic exposure keratopathy in a proptotic eye due to intraorbital extension of basal cell carcinoma. The corneal surface gradually reepithelialized in a 6-week period after the first application of Tegaderm transparent dressing (3M, St. Paul, MN, U.S.A.) with instillation of antibiotic ointment on the ocular surface. The patient has been comfortable with an intact epithelial surface, a vascularized cornea, and nonirritated surrounding skin after changing the Tegaderm dressing daily for 15 months. There was no evidence of recurrent corneal ulceration or infiltrations. We conclude that Tegaderm represents a useful treatment of exposure keratopathy due to chronic proptosis.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Carcinoma, Basal Cell / complications
  • Carcinoma, Basal Cell / surgery
  • Chronic Disease
  • Corneal Ulcer / etiology
  • Corneal Ulcer / pathology
  • Corneal Ulcer / therapy*
  • Epithelium, Corneal / pathology
  • Exophthalmos / etiology
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Occlusive Dressings*
  • Orbital Neoplasms / complications
  • Orbital Neoplasms / surgery
  • Polyurethanes / therapeutic use*
  • Treatment Outcome

Substances

  • Polyurethanes