Collagen-Based Artificial Cornea for Lamellar Keratoplasty: An Early Case Report.

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to evaluate Viscoll collagen membrane (VCM) for lamellar keratoplasty. METHODS: A 54-year-old man with grade 4 recurrent pterygium underwent lamellar keratoplasty using VCM as the graft material. Standard keratoplasty postoperative treatments, including topical antibiotic-corticosteroid and artificial tears, were administered. RESULTS: Complete graft epithelialization was achieved after 4 days of the surgery. Follow-up at 9 months showed no pterygium recurrence as well as good integration of the VCM graft into the surrounding tissues with preserved transparency. CONCLUSIONS: This case demonstrated that VCM possesses great potential as an alternative to the human donor cornea for lamellar keratoplasty; however, the application of VCM for lamellar keratoplasty still needs additional evaluation.