Intrastromal autologous blood injection for treating corneal hydrops

Purpose:  To describe the technique and outcomes of intrastromal autologous blood injection in patients with severe corneal hydrops.

Methods:  Nineteen patients with corneal hydrops underwent intrastromal autologous blood injection. Postoperative assessments included best-corrected visual acuity and time to resolution of corneal edema.

Results:  Corneal edema resolved within 1 week in 5 patients, within 1 month in 11, and within 3 months in 3. The mean duration of edema persistence was 37.94 ± 33.05 days (range, 6–124). Corneal thickness decreased from 2.06 ± 0.71-mm preoperatively to 1.34 ± 0.65-mm at day 7, 0.85 ± 0.56-mm at day 30, and 0.57 ± 0.13-mm at day 90 (p<0.001). Descemet’s membrane (DM) detachment decreased from 1.01 ± 0.75-mm to 0.44 ± 0.57-mm, 0.24 ± 0.36-mm, and 0.08 ± 0.11-mm on postoperative days 7, 30, and 90, respectively (p<0.001). DM break size decreased from 1.12 ± 1.19-mm to 0.62 ± 0.84-mm at 3 months (p<0.005). Three patients developed hematocornea; no other major complications were observed. At 3 months, mean best-corrected visual acuity improved from 2.37 ± 0.66 to 0.41 ± 0.17 logMAR with hard contact lenses (p<0.001).

Conclusions:  Intrastromal autolo gous blood injection is an effective treatment for severe corneal hydrops, promoting faster edema resolution and visual improvement with minimal complications.

Keywords:
Corneal edema; Corneal diseases; Edema; Visual acuity; keratoconus