Aphakic extended-wear contact lenses after penetrating keratoplasty

Fifteen aphakic eyes in 15 selected patients who underwent penetrating keratoplasty were successfully fitted with extended-wear contact lenses three to 42 months postoperatively. After an average follow-up of 17 months, there was no graft edema, no microbial corneal ulcers, and no episode of graft rejection. Three eyes developed minor (1 to 2 mm) graft neovascularization; the neovascularization was stable and did not require discontinuation of the contact lenses. Fourteen of the 15 patients had postoperative visual acuities of 20/70 or better; the one patient whose visual acuity was worse than 20/70 had a clear graft but also had senile macular degeneration.