Longitudinal changes in the refractive errors of children with tears in Descemet's membrane following forceps injuries.

BACKGROUND:
Eyes with tears in Descemet's membrane secondary to forceps injuries frequently develop myopic astigmatism. Little is known regarding the longitudinal changes in the refractive errors of these eyes.
METHODS:
We performed a retrospective review of two children with tears in Descemet's membrane following forceps injuries to their left eyes. The refractive errors were followed longitudinally.
RESULTS:
Both patients developed myopic astigmatism in their affected eye and received optical correction and occlusion therapy. In both cases there was reduction in the myopic refractive error during early childhood. While the astigmatic refractive error was stable in one patient it decreased in the second patient.
CONCLUSION:
Myopia decreased in two children with myopic astigmatism secondary to tears in Descemet's membrane. Myopia in children with tears in Desemet's membrane is likely due to deformation of the cornea rather than form-deprivation.