AIM: To evaluate the therapeutic effect of autogenous conjunctival flap covering on deep corneal ulcer.

METHODS: The data of 14 eyes of 14 patients with deep corneal ulcer who underwent autogenous conjunctival flap covering in China Medical University Eye Center from May 2010 to October 2011 were retrospectively analyzed. There were 6 cases of viral keratitis, 7 cases of fungal keratitis, 1 case of bacterial keratitis. Patients of fungal keratitis were rinsed with fluconazole, patients of viral or bacterial were rinsed with gentamycin before conjunctival flap covering. Part or whole conjunctival flap covering were done according to the size of corneal ulcer. Antibiotics were used for 4 weeks according to different keratitis post-operation. All the patients were followed-up 10-18 months postoperation, corneal ulceration repairation, conjunctival flap survival situation, complications and visual acuity were observed.

RESULTS: Corneal ulcer in all cases cured by once surgery(100%).Autogenous conjunctival flap survived and sticked with ulcer closely 2 weeks post-operation(85.71%), except one case conjunctival flap fell off. The another 13 patients conjunctival flaps became transparent and retracted in different degree in the later following-up time. One recurred case of fungal keratitis three months post-operation was cured by dropping natamysin for 3 weeks. One case complicated with shallow anterior chamber three months post-operation. One case complicated with descemetocele ten months postoperation. One case complicated with glaucoma one year postoperation. All the patients preserved the globe, but vision improved unconspicuously.

CONCLUSION: Autogenous conjunctival flap covering is effective for deep corneal ulcer.But long-term postoperative observation has certain complications.