A unique procedure that transplants one layer of the cornea may help people with keratoconus avoid or delay full corneal transplantation and other potentially risky procedures, according to research recently presented at the 2016 meeting of the American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO).
The technique calls for transplanting donor tissue from the second layer of the cornea — the Bowman layer — into the middle layer through a tiny tube, which strengthens and flattens the cornea for improved vision. According to researchers, the Bowman layer is ideal for transplantation as it does not contain cells.
Researchers at the Netherlands Institute for Innovative Ocular Surgery, Melles Cornea Clinic and Amnitrans Eye Bank transplanted the Bowman layer in 22 eyes in 19 people with advanced keratoconus. Following the procedure, researchers found disease progression had stopped in 20 of the eyes — or 90 percent. Additionally, patients' corrected vision improved to 20/200 and all patients could tolerate extended contact lens wear.
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Source: American Academy of Ophthalmology