[Corneal tattooing for iris defects].

PURPOSE: Defects in the iris are associated with clinically significant visual and cosmetic anomalies. When iris reconstruction with artificial iris implantation or an iris suture technique is impossible, a third possibility exists: intrastromal corneal tattooing.

PATIENTS: and method: We report this little known surgery in three patients with a sectoral or total iris defect following injury. The procedure is detailed.

RESULTS

With an 11-month follow-up (range, 7-13 months), this procedure was effective in providing functional and cosmetic repair. Photophobia and diplopia disappeared, with no side effects.

CONCLUSION

The repair of iris anomalies requires a certain surgical experience but offers patients a significant functional improvement. Choosing the right procedure for each particular case can be difficult. Corneal tattooing remains a simple surgery adapted to often fragile eyes.