Long-Term Results of Fine Needle Diathermy Occlusion of Corneal Vessels in the Treatment of Herpetic Corneal Neovascularization

Abstract

Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the long-term results of fine needle diathermy (FND) in the treatment of corneal neovascularization (CoNV) due to herpetic keratitis. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the data of patients with herpetic keratitis CoNV who underwent FND. The demographic data, intraoperative and postoperative complica- tions, preoperative and postoperative best corrected visual acuity (BCVA), and the number of FND procedure were recorded. Results: Twelve eyes of 12 patients with herpetic keratitis CoNV were included in the study. Two patients (16.7%) were females and 10 were males (83.3%). The mean age was 56.75±13.24 (39–88) years. The mean follow-up period was 20.58±9.79 (12–42) months. The mean number of FND was 1.33±0.65. The mean preoperative BCVA was 1.40±0.44 log MAR, and the mean postoperative BCVA was 1.11±0.52 log MAR (p=0.018). All eyes with herpetic CoNV were categorized based on the resolution of corneal vascularization and visual acuity improvement into complete regression (n=6, 50%), partial regression (n=4, 33.3%), and no regression (n=2, 16.7%). Subconjunctival hemorrhage developed in 2 patients (16.7%). Corneal perforation developed in 1 patient (8.3%) and was treated conservatively. During the follow-up period, no patient had CoNV activation after FND. Conclusion: Our results indicated that FND treatment in CoNV due to herpetic keratitis was effective in preventing CoNV recurrence, and the visual acuity gained after FND treat- ment was preserved in the long-term follow-up.