Lamellar corneal transplantation recommended for scleral thinning

This prospective study found that lamellar corneal transplantation (LCT) is the best option for the structural treatment of scleral thinning, followed by lamellar scleral transplantation (LST) with a conjunctival flap. A high rate of reabsorption occurred with amniotic membrane transplantation (AMT), the least effective of the three options.

The authors compared the use of multilayered AMT with LCT and LST in 26 patients with scleral thinning due to beta therapy associated with pterygium surgery.

At six months postop, there were no changes in BCVA in any of the surgical groups. Epithelialization postoperatively occurred in all patients in all groups. However, the median scleral thickness in the AMT group was significantly less than that of either the LCT or the LST group.

Based on these findings, the authors recommend treating scleral thinning with LCT and avoiding AMT for this indication. The use of cornea provided good structural stability without the need for a conjunctival flap.