[Therapeutic soft lenses following keratoplasty, indications and complications]

A reported on 27 eyes (25 patients) which were fitted with soft permanent lenses following penetrating keratoplasty. The eyes were divided into three groups, according to the nature of the epithelial damage caused by the lens: 1) mechanical damage; 2) primary damage to the endothelium with secondary epithelial resistance. In 52% of the cases superficial neovascularization occurred, but this did not lead to serious complications. In the first and second groups, infiltrates were only seen after longterm use. The highest rate of complications, with infiltrates occurring relatively early and with liquefaction, was observed in the third group. In the first group the permanent lens led to lasting stabilization of the condition with a relatively low risk. In the second group the lens brought freedom from complaints with complications occurring only after 1-2 years. In the third group it was found that complications with negative courses may arise after only a short time.