Intraocular lens explantation with and without penetrating keratoplasty

We reviewed the records of 33 consecutive patients who had undergone intraocular lens (IOL) explantations for IOL-related complications. Results from 19 eyes that underwent penetrating keratoplasty at the time of explantation (pk eyes) were compared with the results from 14 eyes that underwent only IOL explantation (npk eyes). Uveitis was the most common indication for explantation in the npk eyes; frank bullous keratopathy was the most common in the pk eyes. Fifteen of the IOLs explanted from the pk eyes were anterior chamber IOLs, 13 of which were the semiflexible, closed-loop type. Ten of the npk eyes had anterior chamber IOLs explanted, six of which also were the semiflexible, closed-loop type. Visual acuities in the pk group were significantly worse than they were in the npk group, both before and after explantation. Based on this review, we conclude that if anterior chamber and iris-supported IOL complications occur and medical therapy fails, IOL explantation prior to the need for penetrating keratoplasty may improve visual acuity.