Purpose: To describe the technique and present the outcomes of combined conjunctival limbal autografts (CLAU) and keratolimbal allografts (KLAL) for the treatment of unilateral severe ocular surface failure.
Methods: Interventional case series. Eleven eyes of 11 patients who sustained chemical burns (4 alkali and 2 acid) and combined chemical/thermal burns (5 eyes) from firework explosions had combined CLAU/KLAL surgery. Keratoplasty was performed subsequently for residual corneal stromal scarring limiting visual acuity. Inclusion criteria included eyes with severe unilateral total ocular surface failure, controlled glaucoma, and reasonable eyelid apposition with no exposure. Exclusion criteria included patients with any ocular surface abnormality in the fellow eye and those with contraindications to systemic immunosuppression (SI). Outcome measures included Snellen best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), ocular surface stability, SI exposure, and complications.
Results: Preoperative BCVA was 20/400 or worse in all eyes. At the final follow-up (mean, 35.8 months; range, 12.1-105.9 months), 73% (8 of 11) eyes had BCVA of 20/80 or better (range, 20/25 to counting fingers), and ocular surface was stable in 82% (9 of 11). Ninety-one percent (10 of 11) had additional penetrating keratoplasty (PK) with a 60% (6 of 10 eyes) success rate. Three cases had subsequent Boston type 1 keratoprosthesis implantation after PK failure, and the fourth patient, at the time of his last follow-up visit, did not want further intervention for his edematous PK, which was a result of noncompliance-related corneal rejection. In eyes with more than 2 years of follow-up, SI was tapered at a mean of 16 months (range, 8-28 months). There were no intraoperative complications. No secondary tumors, cardiac events, or deaths occurred while patients were on SI. One patient developed secondary glaucoma refractory to medical management after subsequent PK, requiring cyclodiode laser.
Conclusions: Combined CLAU/KLAL and staged keratoplasty is effective in improving vision and maintaining long-term ocular surface stability in patients with severe unilateral ocular surface disease and conjunctival deficiency.