Different compression sutures combined with intracameral air injection for acute corneal hydrops

AIM: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of full-thickness sutures combined with intracameral air injection (FTS-AI) versus pre-Descemet's membrane sutures combined with intracameral air injection (PDS-AI) in the management of acute corneal hydrops in keratoconus. METHODS: The research included 8 patients (8 eyes) suffering from acute corneal hydrops caused by keratoconus. Four patients were randomly assigned to FTS-AI. And the other four were randomly assigned to PDS-AI. Corneal oedema, visual acuity, corneal thickness were assessed during follow-up. RESULTS: The demographics, preoperative duration of symptoms and severity of corneal hydrops between the two groups were not significantly different. The mean corneal oedema resolution time after FTS-AI and PDS-AI were 11 +/- 1.15 and 15 +/- 1.41d, respectively (P=0.005). The maximum corneal thickness of the scarred region decreased in both groups at one week postoperatively (P < 0.05). No obvious difference was found in the mean maximal corneal thickness between the two groups postoperatively. The BCVA improved significantly after FTS-AI and PDS-AI at three months postoperatively. No obvious difference was found in the BCVA after FTS-AI and PDS-AI at three months postoperatively. CONCLUSION: FTS-AI and PDS-AI are safe and effective therapies to accelerate the resolution of corneal oedema in acute corneal hydrops secondary to keratoconus. Despite faster resolution of corneal oedema in the FTS-AI group, we recommend PDS-AI to avoid potential endothelium cell damage.