Case series of scleral patch grafts during COVID-19 pandemic

Indian J Ophthalmol. 2021 Sep;69(9):2530-2532. doi: 10.4103/ijo.IJO_3784_20.

Abstract

Scleral graft is done for clinical conditions as scleral melt post pterygium surgery, immune or infection related scleral melt, for covering the tubes of Ahmed glaucoma valve implant, for covering the orbital implants post enucleation, etc. A review of literature revealed the use of sclera for corneal perforations in the past, but became obsolete after the cornea being used for patch grafts. Now in this COVID-19 time, due to scarcity of corneal tissue, this technique of scleral patch grafts can be considered as an alternative to corneal patch grafts, which serves well the tectonic/therapeutic purpose and helps salvage the eye.

Keywords: Corneal abscess; patch graft; perforation; sclera.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • COVID-19*
  • Glaucoma Drainage Implants*
  • Humans
  • Pandemics
  • SARS-CoV-2
  • Sclera / surgery