Prenetrating keratoplasty in keratoconus treatment: long term results

PURPOSE: To report the long-term outcomes of penetrating keratoplasty in the treatment of patients with keratoconus. INSTITUTION: Fundacion Oftalmologica del Mediterraneo (FOM). La Fe University Hospital. Valencia. Spain. METHODS: Records of a retrospective case series of 57 eyes with keratoconus of thirtyfour patients who underwent penetrating keratoplasty treatment from 2000 to 2007. We analized changes in visual acuity (UCVA and BCVA), refractive changes (sphere and cylinder) and the incidence of complications. RESULTS: There was an improvement in visual acuity after the surgery both in UCVA and BCVA. Visual rehabilitation after surgery was slowly progressive.The residual cylinder decreased from –6.57 ± 2.15 D to –3.43 ± 1.74 D the fifth year after the surgery. Spectacles, and contact lenses corrected the residual refraction. The incidence of complications was lower. CONCLUSIONS: Penetrating keratoplasty is indicated for the treatment of keratoconus, especially in severe stages. In spite that is a technique with the risk of serious complications, the results obtained are satisfactory.