[Complications of epikeratophakia in correction of aphakia, myopia, hyperopia and keratoconus]

Epikeratophakia for the correction of aphakia, myopia, hyperopia and keratoconus has overcome many of the objections to earlier lamellar refractive procedures (keratophakia and keratomileusis), such as the lamellar dissection of the recipients' healthy cornea over the visual axis and the need for expensive surgical equipment. It is reasonably reversible and repeatable. The complications observed in a series of 119 operations performed at the 2nd Department of Ophthalmology, University of Vienna, are discussed and compared with those reported in the literature. Serious complications, both intraoperatively and in the early and late postoperative period, that permanently threaten the patients vision are rare. Predictability and loss of effect in a significant percentage of myopic cases, caused by lack of precision during manufacturing of the lenticules and individual wound healing, makes careful patient selection mandatory.