Corneal tattooing: an alternative treatment for disfiguring corneal scars.

BACKGROUND The performance and results of corneal tattooing are described in a case series of 11 patients suffering from a disfiguring corneal scar using a technique similar to conventional dermatography. METHODS Drawing ink in different shades was applied into the anterior corneal stroma by punctures performed with a conventional spatula needle. RESULTS Up to 4 years after surgery all patients still had satisfactory staining of the formerly cosmetically disfiguring corneal scar. CONCLUSION Tattooing of unsightly corneal scars proved to be an efficient and easy to perform technique, yielding acceptable results during follow up.