[Penetrating keratoplasty and cataract surgery]

Area of Science:

• Ophthalmology
• Corneal Surgery
• Cataract Surgery

Background:

• Penetrating keratoplasty (corneal transplant) and cataract extraction are common ophthalmic procedures.
• Simultaneous performance of these surgeries may impact graft survival and visual outcomes.
• Preoperative ocular conditions significantly influence the success of corneal grafts.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the success rate of simultaneous penetrating keratoplasty and cataract extraction.
• To assess the influence of preoperative ocular conditions on graft clarity.
• To compare outcomes between intracapsular (ICCE) and extracapsular cataract extraction (ECCE) in simultaneous procedures.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective analysis of 46 eyes undergoing combined penetrating keratoplasty and cataract extraction.
• Graft clarity assessed over an average follow-up of 37 months.
• Comparison of outcomes based on preoperative ocular conditions and cataract extraction method.

Main Results:

• Overall graft clarity rate was 54% (25 out of 46 eyes).
• Higher rates of unfavorable preoperative ocular conditions (over 50%) contributed to lower success.
• Cataract extraction method (ICCE vs. ECCE) did not significantly affect clear graft rates in simultaneous procedures.
• For eyes with favorable preoperative conditions, simultaneous surgery (75% clear grafts) showed similar results to separate procedures (approx. 75% clear grafts).

Conclusions:

• Simultaneous penetrating keratoplasty and cataract extraction yield moderate graft clarity, particularly in eyes with unfavorable preoperative conditions.
• The method of cataract extraction does not impact graft survival in combined procedures.
• For suitable candidates, combined surgery offers comparable graft clarity to staged procedures.