Korean J Ophthalmol.  2010 Jun;24(3):148-154. 10.3341/kjo.2010.24.3.148.

The Epidemiology of Cosmetic Treatments for Corneal Opacities in a Korean Population

• Chang KC
• Kwon JW
• Han YK
• Wee WR
• Lee JH

• KMID: 945984
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.3341/kjo.2010.24.3.148

Abstract

PURPOSE
To describe etiologies and clinical characteristics of corneal opacities leading patients to seek cosmetic treatments. METHODS: The medical records of 401 patients who presented for cosmetic improvement in corneal opacities between May 2004 and July 2007 were retrospectively reviewed. The following parameters were analyzed: age, gender, cause of corneal opacity, time course of the corneal disease, associated diseases, prior and current cosmetic treatments, visual acuity, location and depth of the corneal opacity, and the presence of either corneal neovascularization or band keratopathy. A single practitioner examined all patients. RESULTS: The most common causes of corneal opacity were ocular trauma (203 eyes, 50.6%), retinal disease (62 eyes, 15.5%), measles (38 eyes, 9.5%), and congenital etiologies (22 eyes, 5.5%). Prior treatments included iris colored contact lenses (125 eyes, 31.1%) and corneal tattooing (34 eyes, 8.46%). A total of 321 of 401 eyes underwent cosmetic treatment for corneal opacities. The most common treatment performed after the primary visit was corneal tattooing (261 eyes, 64.92%). CONCLUSIONS: This is the first study to investigate the causes and clinical characteristics of patients presenting for cosmetic treatment of corneal opacities rather than for functional improvement. Various cosmetic interventions are available for patients with corneal opacities, and these should be individualized for the needs of each patient.

Keyword

Contact lenses; Corneal opacity; Cosmetics; Leukoma; Tattooing

MeSH Terms

Adolescent
Adult
Aged
Aged, 80 and over
Asian Continental Ancestry Group/*statistics & numerical data
Color
Contact Lenses/statistics & numerical data
Corneal Opacity/*ethnology/etiology/*therapy
Esthetics
Female
Humans
Male
Middle Aged
Retrospective Studies
Surgery, Plastic/*statistics & numerical data
Tattooing/statistics & numerical data
Young Adult

Figure

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  Fig. 1 A 38-year-old male patient with total corneal opacity and band keratopathy of the left eye (A,B). Prior to cosmetic treatment (C). One year post corneal tattooing (keratopigmentation).

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  Fig. 2 A 49-year-old male patient with a paracentral corneal opacity due to previous corneal injury. Visual acuity was 20/20 in the right eye. (A,B) Prior to cosmetic treatment. (C,D) Six months post keratopigmentation. There was no associated visual loss with the cosmetic procedure.

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