[Value of cyanoacrylate tissue adhesives in peripheral corneal ulcers of inflammatory origin].

PURPOSE: To investigate cyanoacrylate tissue adhesives in ulcerative keratitis. They represent one of the best emergency treatments of corneal descemetoceles, preperforated corneal ulcers, impending corneal perforations and small corneal perforations.

METHODS

Nine patients presenting with peripheral ulcerative keratitis were treated by this method between 1990 and 1994. The underlying diseases included Mooren's ulcer (5 eyes), rosacea (2 eyes) and rheumatoid arthritis (2 eyes).

RESULTS

Despite the poor prognosis of ulcerative keratitis, good healing and corneal re-epithelialization were obtained in 6 cases (66%) without any relapse. Severe infectious complications occurred in 1 case (11%) and required a therapeutic penetrating keratoplasty.

CONCLUSIONS

Cyanoacrylate tissue adhesives are an effective and well tolerated treatment of peripheral ulcerative keratitis associated with ocular inflammatory diseases. Potential infectious complications impose a strict follow-up.