Rasik Vajpayee

Purpose: To describe new technique of intrastromal fluid drainage with intracameral air injection for management of acute corneal hydrops.
Method: Five eyes with acute hydrops underwent this technique. Anterior segment optical coherence tomography guided intrastromal fluid drainage through multiple corneal stromal venting incisions with anterior chamber air tamponade was done.
Results:Visual acuity improved from  hand motions close to face preopertaively to BCVA >20/200 in all eyes and BCVA of ?20/80 in 2 eyes at three months. No intraoperative complications were  observed. Descemet Membrane attached on first postoperative day in four eyes.Corneal oedema resolved over 2-3 weeks.

Conclusion: The technique of intrastromal drainage of fluid combined with air tamponade can be effectively used as a treatment modality for the management of severe cases of acute corneal hydrops.