Prevention of Exposure Keratopathy with Sahaf Wet Chamber

Abstract

Purpose: To assess the efficacy of sahaf wet chamber in preventing exposure
keratopathy in patients with lagophthalmos.
Material and Methods: Seventy patients of lagophthalmos were included in the
study from outdoor in ophthalmology department Mayo hospital, King Edward
Medical University Lahore from 1st January 2013 to 31st December 2013 awaiting
definitive surgical intervention. Sahaf wet chamber (transparent polyurethane
dressing opsite with antibiotic ointment) were changed every 24 hours. The
corneal flourescein stains were performed and exposure keratopathy assessed
daily till the time of surgery. The criteria of efficacy was improvement or
progression of exposure keratopathy.
Results: None of 70 patients (0%) had progression of exposure keratopathy.
The time on eye care every day was 3 min ± 1 min.
Conclusion: Sahaf wet chamber is more effective, time saving, easy to apply
and cost effective technique in reducing the incidence of corneal damage in
patients with lagophthalmos awaiting definitive treatment. It can easily be done
as an OPD procedure.
Key Words: Exposure keratopathy, wet chamber, lagophthalmos