Effect of intraoperative optical coherence tomography on anatomic and cosmetic results of intrastromal tattooing

PURPOSE: The aim of the study was to evaluate the effect of intraoperative optical coherence tomography (i-OCT) on anatomic and cosmetic outcomes of intrastromal keratopigmentation (i-KTP) performed by novice lamellar corneal surgeons. METHODS: Thirty patients presenting with unilaterally disfiguring corneal scar and nil visual prognosis were subjected to i-OCT-guided intrastromal tattooing with rotring ink, by ophthalmology residents undergoing training in corneal surgeries at our center, who were later asked for a subjective feedback and mean stromal depth dissected was measured objectively. All patients were followed up for 9 months after surgery, and the subjective satisfaction of the patient, an independent observer, and surgeon was graded as poor, good, and excellent. RESULTS: The mean age of the patients was 29.53 +/- 13.82 years (8-56 years). The most common cause of corneal opacity was healed keratitis with (6/30) or without (3/30) adherent leukoma, trauma-induced ocular disfigurement (7/30), and bullous keratopathy (6/30). All residents reported that feed-back images on i-OCT were "helpful" in all eyes and "very helpful" in eyes with corneal thinning, stromal scarring, adherent leukoma, bullous keratopathy, and hypotony. The mean depth of lamellar dissection was 51.16% +/- 4.62% of preoperative corneal thickness. The cosmetic results as perceived by the patient, an independent observer, and the surgeon were excellent and good in 23 and 7, 26 and 4, and 20 and 10 patients, respectively. CONCLUSION: I-KTP may be employed as a primary method of cosmetic correction of unsightly corneal scars. Centers equipped with i-OCT may employ this tool for teaching i-KTP to their ophthalmology residents for better surgical results with minimal complications.