AIMS--The study was designed to investigate the results of penetrating keratoplasty (PK) for pseudophakic corneal oedema (PCO). METHODS--Retrospective analysis of 80 consecutive patients (82 eyes) who underwent PK for PCO between the years 1980-1992 with a minimum follow up of 12 months. RESULTS--PKs for PCO have accounted for as many as 20% of all grafts performed in the hospital in recent years. The interval between cataract extraction and PK ranged from 6 to 161 months (mean 51 months). The intraocular lens was removed in 45 (55%), left in situ in 30 (37%), and exchanged in seven (8%) of cases respectively. Of the intraocular lenses involved 62% were iris supported, 31% angle supported, and 7% were posterior chamber lenses. Actuarial analysis shows graft survival to be 91% at 1 year and 86% at 2 years after surgery. The likelihood of graft survival was significantly enhanced by removal of the intraocular lens (p < 0.01). A corrected Snellen visual acuity worse than 6/60 was present in 36% of patients with a clear corneal graft. Ocular comfort was achieved in all patients with a clear corneal graft. CONCLUSION--PK for PCO resulted in a disappointing visual result in a large proportion of patients. PK was, however, successful in relieving pain and corneal ulceration when present.
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